Glenn Murray's knee surgery a success, but Crystal Palace man still faces six months out
Glenn Murray's operation to fix a damaged cruciate knee injury has been successful, say Crystal Palace.
But the Eagles top scorer this season still faces a minimum of six months out meaning it could be 2014 until he dons the red and blue again.
Muzza suffered the injury during Palace's playoff semi-final first leg 0-0 draw with Brighton last Friday.
Eagles physio Alex Manos told Palace Player: "It was a successful operation – it all went well and according to plan. It was pretty much routine in terms of what we’d seen on his scan and what we ended up doing. He spent a couple of nights in hospital afterwards, but he’s now back at home and doing well.
“It’s difficult to tell an exact time frame because different people recover in different ways, but with this type of injury, the severity of the injury, you are looking at upwards of six months.
“The best case scenario could be six months, but it could take up to nine, or even longer, it just depends on whether there are any complications during his rehab and how well he progresses with that.
“It’s impossible to target a date at this stage and it wouldn’t really be very beneficial to either the player or the staff here. If you make the date, it doesn’t really matter, but if you miss it you are often deemed as having not been successful. I know it’s a bit clichéd, but you really do have to take it week-by-week and assess how he’s going.
“Glenn will spend the next couple of weeks pretty much home-based with some exercises. The idea with that is just to get the knee moving and get the swelling down from the operation, so he doesn’t have to do a lot within the next couple of weeks.
“He’ll then start coming in more regularly, a couple of times a week, to up his rehab. That will be probably pool-based to start with so that he doesn’t have to take too much weight on the leg, because the first three months are all about getting the knee stable and secure and strong. Anywhere from then on, you start to look at your jogging drills and running before we can start on football-specific work outside.”
Palace players Andre Moritz and Peter Ramage posted pictures on twitter of the squad visiting a smiling Muzza last week, and Manoz added the striker is in good spirit.
He said: “He’s great, he’s alright. I think he was pleased that everything got sorted out quickly. He got injured Friday and was operated on in a short space of time because he did the good work to get the swelling down so the surgeon to operate.
“He’s just looking forward to cracking on really and of course to Wembley on Monday. He’s going to be coming on Sunday to meet up with the lads and be a part of it. He’s keen to do that and I think it will help the players as well.”
Where are you watching the playoff final? A list of venues around the world!
Can't get to Wembley to watch Palace take on Watford for a place in the Premier League?
No worries! Below is a list of places around the world where Eagles fans will be meeting up to watch the game on Monday May 27th (3pm UK time)
Asia
New Zealand
Auckland - Fox in the Viaduct.
Australia
Sydney - Royal Exhibition Hotel, Chalmers St.
Brisbane - Pig & Whistle
Melbourne - The Charles Dickens, Collins St
Adelaide - The Grandstand Bar, Adelaide Casino
Bali
Europe
Spain
Barcelona - Happy Bar & Grill, Las Ramblas
Ireland
Dublin - Sinnotts
North America
USA
New York - Smithfield, Manhattan
The UK
Bromley - The Swan, West Wickham
Dorset - Rose & Crown, Lytchett
Eastbourne - The Eagle
East Grinstead - Bridge Bar
Wiltshire - The Bell By The Green, Devizes
Watching in another location? Add your pub in the comments below!
Brilliant animated comics of Crystal Palace's playoff win over Brighton
Palace's playoff win over Brighton was soo damn good, so we are more than happy to share anything related to it.
And thanks to Phil Morgan here are two brilliant comic style storyboards of the whole thing.
The first celebrates the 2-0 win at the Amex, the second Glenn Murray's move from the Seagulls to SE25.
Take it away Phil...
VIDEO: The story of Dougie Freedman leaving Crystal Palace
We love a bit of stop motion animation here at FYP. Hell, we still regularly watch Wallace and Gromit at FYP Towers. We're pretty rock and roll.
But when it's stop motion animation mixed with Palace we are definitely in!
And thanks to talented animator Nick Timo lots of famous Eagles moments have been brought to life.
His latest effort is Dougie Freedman leaving Palace.
Enjoy!
Click here to see more videos from Nick.
Kevin Phillips wants to stay at Crystal Palace
On-loan Crystal Palace striker Kevin Phillips wants to stay at the club, especially if they get promoted to the Premier League.
Phillips, 87, is on loan from Blackpool but is out of contract at the end of the season and has enjoyed himself at Selhurst Park, knocking in six goals despite starting just two games.
He said: "If we go up, if something is offered to me, I'll seriously consider it.
"I'd imagine that I'll be playing for one more year, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I feel good. I think I've certainly shown this year that I can do a job coming off the bench."
Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray to undergo knee operation today
It seems Palace are as keen to get Glenn Murray on the road to recovery as soon a possible.
The 31-goal hero this season ruptured his cruciate ligaments in the playoff semi-final first leg with Brighton last week, and is facing nine months on the sidelines.
He sat out the second leg win at the Amex, and was seen hobbling around on crutches during the post-match celebrations.
And it looks like today (Thursday) he is going under the knife.
Muzza's room-mate at Palace Peter Ramage tweeted: "Spoke to the man Muz this morning, think he's is getting sliced n diced today, got all fingers and toes crossed it's goes well.
"Going try and see him tomorrow so if you've got any messages for him ill pass them on, try cheer up the miserable old sod."
Everyone at FYP wishes Murray a speedy recovery from his injury!
Tweet your messages of support to Muzza via Rambo here.
Former Palace stars Geoff Thomas & Ian Wright get on their bikes for cancer research
Is there nothing Geoff Tomas can't do? The Palace legend has already ridden thousands of miles for charity and it going to take to his bike again in another fundraising effort.
Geoff - who came top in the Top 50 Palace players FYP poll last summer - will push himself to the limit in June when he sets off on a 450 KM cycle from London to Paris for blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.
He has close ties with the charity since his own fight with chronic myeloid leukaemia in 2003.
The bike ride, London | Paris: Be Unstoppable, will start in London’s historic Greenwich Park on 6 June 2013 and will take 200 cyclists to Paris over 4 days. The endurance ride will offer participants all the excitement of being part of a peloton, with motorcycle outriders and closed roads.
He will be joined by fellow Eagles legends John Salako and Ian Wright.
“Since being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in 2003 I have met many incredible people, including determined doctors, inspiring patients and selfless fundraisers," Geoff said.
“For me, London | Paris: Be Unstoppable is another way I can continue to raise awareness and help Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research to beat blood cancers and improve the lives of patients so they can live their lives to the full. We want to reach a place where being diagnosed today won’t stop you riding tomorrow.”
Dan Solley, Head of Sports Fundraising at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research said: “The charity has long been involved in high profile and innovative sports fundraising events, such as our annual flagship event, London Bikeathon, which takes place in September. However some of our supporters want a bigger challenge. They want to push themselves further, cycling together, focused on one united cause; to beat blood cancer and stop people from dying.”
If you would like to donate or take part and ride with Geoff, Johny Salad and Wrighty, and the rest of our inspirational supporters visit the website to sign up here.
Wright's donation page is here.
Mile Jedinak praises Wilf Zaha and tips him for the top
Palace players and staff were lining up to praise of Wilf Zaha after the winger's brace secured a trip to Wembley for the Eagles.
The £15m man, who is off to Manchester United in the summer, has struggled for form in the last few months, but produced the goods when needed.
Palace captain Mile Jedinak said: ""Wilfried has been fully focused at this club, he doesn’t ever talk about Man Utd.
“We might joke around with him every so often, but the kid’s head is on. When it’s game time he is ready to roll.
“He is doing his part and enjoying the moment, and I don’t think I even have to say that because he revels in this sort of environment.
"I’m glad that we have got him for the next game because he has got a huge future ahead of him.
“He was working hard and tracking back today, that’s the sort of things that the regular people don’t see.
“Out there on the field, the hard work and the sweat that he puts in, you can’t replace that.”
Eagles co-chairman Steve Parish also praised Zaha's efforts despite a drop in form.
“I asked Wilf for three more games," he said. "He has given us two so far, he was sensational, not only for the two brilliant goals but his work-rate for the team.
“What you see out there is a kid who has been at the club since he was nine. I couldn’t be more proud of him.
“I knew he would come back and be himself. I know what Wilfried is like on a football pitch, I’ve watched him a lot more years than most people have been interested in him.
“Wilfried could sit in there and tell himself he’s not interested but once he gets on a football pitch it just clicks into gear and everything is natural.
“The more people kick him and the more they get at him the better he gets.
“It’s an incredibly long season and he’s 20. He’s played every single game this season, more or less.
“Maybe he’s missed one but by the time he leaves to go to Manchester United he’ll have played over 150 games for this football club.
“Even Messi has the odd bad game.
“Nobody is going to play absolutely on the limit every single week when they’re putting their bodies through the things these guys do.
“Obviously, he’s had the odd game that wasn’t so great but I’ve never seen him waver in his effort for one minute."
And team-mate Dean Moxey claimed Zaha's timing was perfect last night as he ghosted in at the back post to nod in Yannick Bolasie's cross.
He said: "He's frustrating at times but when he pops up with tricks and goals like that he's great.
"The gaffer has been saying to him to get inside the full back as he tends to hang out the back and try and get the ball to feet and do a few tricks. But the gaffer has been saying ever since he came in to get inside the full back and you'll get a goal. Last night was perfect timing."
Even Brighton boss Gus Poyet couldn't ignore Wilf's class.
"Palace used Zaha better today, we defended worst though. He will become a world star," he grumbled.
Brighton 0 Palace 2 match report.