Vickery: It's nothing serious

Specialists give Wasps prop the all-clear

Last updated: 7th November 2007

Vickery Phil England Oct 07

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England captain Phil Vickery has insisted his latest neck injury is not career-threatening.

The Wasps prop, who has already had his neck operated on three times, sustained the injury during England's 15-6 World Cup final defeat to South Africa, and there were even fears the latest setback could have meant the end of his career.

But he has been given the all-clear by a specialist and insists that the problem is not going to stop him playing, although it has ruled him out of the opening fortnight of the Heineken Cup.

Specialists

"I swear on my mother's life it's nothing serious," the 31-year-old told the BBC. "I just wanted specialists who know my neck to have a look at it.

"I'm not sure exactly when I'll be back. I want to play for the whole season, not just a couple of weeks."

Wasps Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan also moved to allay any long-term fears.

"The prognosis after a scan on his neck is good, it's a matter of physiotherapy, of giving it time to settle down," he said.