Aviva Premiership: Leicester promise to ease Tom Croft back from injury

Last updated: 9th February 2013  

Aviva Premiership: Leicester promise to ease Tom Croft back from injury

Tom Croft: Made his third start since injury against London Welsh

We'll take the medical advice on Tom, I know it would have been Harlequins next week but if it's medically right to play him we'll play him.

Richard Cockerill
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Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has called for patience as England flanker Tom Croft battles his way back to top form and fitness after injury.

Croft, who suffered a broken neck against Harlequins last April, made only his third start since returning to action as Leicester recorded a 28-12 victory over London Welsh.

Cockerill is pleased with Croft's recovery but is not expecting too much too soon from the 27-year-old.

"Tom Croft is sharp, he's a quality player, we know his abilities in the loose but he's not played much in eight months but he'll get better," said Cockerill.

"He's got pace and at times we need that to get us out of some sticky moments but it's all positive for me but we do need to be patient."

Looking ahead to their table-topping clash with Harlequins, Cockerill added: "We'll take the medical advice on Tom, I know it would have been Harlequins next week but if it's medically right to play him we'll play him."

George Ford kicked 13 points for Leicester against Welsh, with Adam Thompstone scoring a first-half try and Niall Morris and Dan Bowden also touching down for the Tigers after the break. Gordon Ross scored all 12 of the Exiles' points.

London Welsh boss Lyn Jones felt his side had shot themselves in the foot after a below-par opening 40 minutes.

Disappointed

"We were hugely disappointed with our first-half performance and we were undisciplined and gave far too much away to Leicester," he said.

"Second half we came back into it and came quite close but we didn't get out of the 22 as much as we wanted to.

"We came back strong, put a lot of phases together, played some enterprising rugby but just failed to cross."

Cockerill added: "Obviously there are things that we could have done better and could have made things easier for ourselves but it's about winning at the end of the day.

"We got the four points and at the end of the season nobody will care about the weather or the game, it's international week so nobody cares as long as we win."

"Obviously you would like more and potentially the five points but at the start of the day if you'd offered me four points and no significant injuries then I'd have taken it. Welsh are a hard side to play against."

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