By Will Wood Last updated: 20th June 2008
Fuller: Knee injury
He seems ok in himself about it and was certainly walking all right when I met him.
John Rudge
Quotes of the week
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."
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."

Latest Sky Sports News Report
The Sky Bet Show - Saturday
Wenger denies imminent takeover
Hughton open to name change
Coyle: We deserve credit
Burley confirms strong squad
McLeish hails improvements
Megson pleased with performances
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Wolverhampton vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Hull vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Everton |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Fulham |
| 16:00 | Chelsea vs Man Utd |
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Liverpool vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Bolton 0 - 4 Chelsea | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Man City 2 - 2 Fulham | |
| Liverpool 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Bolton 3 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 24th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 5 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Tottenham 0 - 1 Stoke | |
| Birmingham 2 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Hull 0 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Burnley 1 - 3 Wigan | |
Paul Merson fears for Phil Brown - and says Hull couldn't be facing a worse game than home to Stoke.
Liverpool should stand by beleaguered boss Rafa Benitez, says Reds legend John Adridge.
Doncaster Rovers have handed a trial to Austrian international striker Roman Kienast.
Lincoln boss Chris Sutton is hoping to extend the loan deal of Aston Villa's rookie defender Eric Lichaj.
Walsall are trying to extend the loan of Man City defender Clayton McDonald for a third and final month.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed Fran Merida has agreed a new deal at the club, but has yet to sign it.
Colchester are poised to open talks with Kevin Lisbie, John-Joe O'Toole and Kayode Odejayi.