Ospreys handed injury boost
Ospreys has been handed a boost with the news that Ian Evans' ankle injury is not as bad as first feared.
The second-row player fell awkwardly during the 22-10 Magners League defeat to Munster. Evans immediately went down holding his ankle and the initial fears were that the player had torn ligaments.
However, the club has said that an MRI scan revealed that the injury is nothing more than a badly sprained ankle. This will give the club a huge lift as the player will only be out for a fraction of the
time expected.
This news will have a positive effect on the club in many ways. However, Ospreys still has to draft in cover as Evans will still be forced to miss a number of games while he recovers.
Beneficial effect
Evans is one of the most important second-row players in the rugby club. He is crucial to the plans that head coach Scott Johnson has for developing the current side. The news means Johnson won't drastically
have to alter his thinking.
Evans' teammates will receive a mental boost because it is never nice to see another player in so much pain during a game. This lift in spirits should rub off on the whole team.
The news is very important for Evans as an individual. It means he will not be forced to miss a large part of the season. There is a great chance he will now be fit for Wales' autumn Test matches against
New Zealand.
Ospreys physio Chris Towers said: "Ian sustained an injury to his left foot and ankle in the Munster game and although
he is in a fair bit of discomfort at the moment, his scan has shown that the injury is a fairly diffuse issue.
Basically, he's sustained grade-one damage to a lot of soft tissues in the foot and ankle."
Draft in replacement
Ospreys still has to draft in a replacement because Evans will not play within the next few weeks. The club has plenty of cover in the second-row and is able to pick from a number of players.
Ian Gough or Andy Lloyd can take Evans' place in the side. The club could also ask one of the props to fill in if the coach thinks this is a better option. However, Johnson is likely to resist the
temptation to play someone out of position.
The replacement that does come in will be handed a chance that he wouldn't have predicted. This means that the replacement will do anything possible to have an impact on the team in order to keep
his place. This should inspire the whole Ospreys side to attack the next few games with pace and energy.
Towers added: "The prognosis is a lot better than originally feared.
We hope to see a fairly steep recovery once this acute phase of the healing process starts to settle over the next week or so."
Betting advice
Ospreys will have to adapt for the short time that Evans is not in the side. However, the club is going to cope and there's no reason to change your betting patterns with the Magners League champions.
Back Evans' replacement to get on the score sheet. Even though this player will come into the second-row of the team, there is a good chance he will score because he will be itching to get forward
when possible.
Ospreys is a very strong bet to win the Magners League again this season. However, a match by match betting approach could be better because it will provide more value and longer odds.
Tags: