Fuller injury not serious

Fuller: Knee injury

He seems ok in himself about it and was certainly walking all right when I met him.

John Rudge
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Stoke City forward Ricardo Fuller's knee injury is not as serious as first feared.

The Jamaican international damaged ligaments in his left knee during the Reggae Boyz's 2-1 friendly defeat against Grenada last Tuesday.

The 28-year old was immediately sent for a scan to assess the seriousness of his injury, but the lengthy lay-off being initially mooted has now been played down by Stoke's director of football John Rudge.

He told The Sentinel: "We don't think it is serious, but I think Ricardo is due in American on Monday for his check-up. We obviously want to make sure and find out the score with his knee at the earliest available opportunity.

"He seems OK in himself about it and was certainly walking all right when I met him."

Scouting

Rudge had travelled to the Caribbean to compile a report on transfer target and Fuller's compatriot, Rudolph Austin.

The 22-year-old utility player featured as Jamaica destroyed the Bahamas 6-0 to qualify for the group stages of World Cup qualifying, making him eligible for a work permit having made a sufficient number of international appearances.

Rudge, however, remained coy on the reported £1million deal for the Portmore United player, who has already trained with the team during visits to England.

He said: "Rudolph did well enough, even though you have to take into account they were far superior to the Bahamas."