Minor setback hits Matera

Gold Coast SUNS forward Brandon Matera has brushed aside any doubts of him missing the NAB Cup, despite the exciting ball-magnet suffering a minor injury setback.

The 20-year-old, who recently received praise from senior coach Guy McKenna after a strong summer of training, is expected to be restricted for two weeks after experiencing soreness in his foot.

Matera will be placed in a moon boot for the week before returning to training.

GC SUNS General Manager of Football Operations – Marcus Ashcroft, updated goldcoastfc.com.au about the extent of the injury.

“Brandan has picked up a sore spot in his right foot, and will wear a moon boot until next week.”

“Once he gets his foot out of the moon boot he’ll start running, and then we think he’ll be ready to play a few games of football in the NAB Cup series.”

The speedy forward is likely to spend more time in the midfielder in 2013, after finishing the season strongly with an average of 20 possessions in his last four games.

GC SUNS Injury Update
Nathan Bock – Leg – Bock is progressing well and is completing short running and skills session. The club will take a conservative approach with Bock and has not placed a time frame on his return despite Bock’s ambitious goal to return to the field at the start of the 2013 season.

Tom Lynch – Foot – Lynch is progressing extremely well after undergoing surgery to a stress fracture in his right foot. He will gradually step up his training in the coming weeks before returning  to full training.

Brandon Matera – Foot – is currently sporting a moon boot, however Mater will step up his training in the coming weeks and is expected to be available for NAB Cup selection.

Trent McKenzie – Knee – McKenzie is pain free and is completing leg weights and running exercises. He is on schedule to commence a comprehensive  running program next week.

Michael Rischitelli – Hamstring Tendonitis – Rischitelli is progressing well and has increased his running volume and intensity in recent week, he will continue to build and is expected to available for selection during the pre-season competition phase.

Seb Tape – Knee – Tape recovery from knee surgery has been fantastic, however he still requires a large amount of physical training before being available to selection.

Timmy Sumner – Knee - Sumner suffered minor knee injury at training and will be required to undergo a few weeks of rehabilitation before returning to full training.