Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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THE Broncos’ big-name cavalry is returning with star duo Anthony Milford and Darius Boyd ahead of schedule in their injury rehabilitation in a major boost for Brisbane’s top-four ambitions.
Hulking winger Corey Oates is in grave doubt for tonight’s clash against Melbourne after being floored by a mystery illness, but Maroons aces Milford and Boyd are firmly on the comeback trial.
Milford, who dislocated his shoulder against Souths on June 9, did some light contact work at training on Thursday and could return for Brisbane’s round 19 clash against Newcastle on July 15.
Boyd, who broke his thumb in Origin II, was initially expected to miss six weeks but that has been reduced to four, putting him on track for the Broncos’ round 20 showdown with the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said he could not be happier with the pair’s injury prognosis as Brisbane prepare to emerge from the Origin grind with their top-four prospects intact.
“We think Anthony is two or three weeks away,” Bennett said.
“He reckons he’s ready to play now. He’s not, but in a few weeks we will bring Anthony back and see how his shoulder goes.
“He’s not going for surgery yet.
“We’re bringing him back and after that if it goes again, he is going for surgery. But if we can get more (games) out of him, that’s what we want to do.
“Darius only has pins in his thumb, not plates, so it’s a four-week injury. He has been out a week-and-a half now so he will probably come back against Canterbury.”
While Milford was in good spirits at Red Hill, there was no sign of Oates, who underwent medical checks on Thursday after failing to appear at Brisbane’s captain’s run.
Oates will be given until today to prove his fitness, but Bennett says he is an unlikely starter, with boom rookie Jonus Pearson on standby to play his sixth NRL game against the Storm.
“At this stage, Corey is not playing,” Bennett said. “I don’t know if virus is the appropriate word, but something is affecting his lower back, legs and groin.
“He just woke up with it and doesn’t feel mobile, so we will get him checked out.
“It happened overnight. It’s not the flu, we’re not sure what it is, it’s affecting his lower limbs, we had a similar situation with Ben Hunt a few years ago, but we don’t think it’s too serious.
“If he wakes up Friday feeling good, we will play him, but it doesn’t look like being the case.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/c2ad1d73ef8f7be44cbef7a3a2bcec5d
Hulking winger Corey Oates is in grave doubt for tonight’s clash against Melbourne after being floored by a mystery illness, but Maroons aces Milford and Boyd are firmly on the comeback trial.
Milford, who dislocated his shoulder against Souths on June 9, did some light contact work at training on Thursday and could return for Brisbane’s round 19 clash against Newcastle on July 15.
Boyd, who broke his thumb in Origin II, was initially expected to miss six weeks but that has been reduced to four, putting him on track for the Broncos’ round 20 showdown with the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said he could not be happier with the pair’s injury prognosis as Brisbane prepare to emerge from the Origin grind with their top-four prospects intact.
“We think Anthony is two or three weeks away,” Bennett said.
“He reckons he’s ready to play now. He’s not, but in a few weeks we will bring Anthony back and see how his shoulder goes.
“He’s not going for surgery yet.
“We’re bringing him back and after that if it goes again, he is going for surgery. But if we can get more (games) out of him, that’s what we want to do.
“Darius only has pins in his thumb, not plates, so it’s a four-week injury. He has been out a week-and-a half now so he will probably come back against Canterbury.”
While Milford was in good spirits at Red Hill, there was no sign of Oates, who underwent medical checks on Thursday after failing to appear at Brisbane’s captain’s run.
Oates will be given until today to prove his fitness, but Bennett says he is an unlikely starter, with boom rookie Jonus Pearson on standby to play his sixth NRL game against the Storm.
“At this stage, Corey is not playing,” Bennett said. “I don’t know if virus is the appropriate word, but something is affecting his lower back, legs and groin.
“He just woke up with it and doesn’t feel mobile, so we will get him checked out.
“It happened overnight. It’s not the flu, we’re not sure what it is, it’s affecting his lower limbs, we had a similar situation with Ben Hunt a few years ago, but we don’t think it’s too serious.
“If he wakes up Friday feeling good, we will play him, but it doesn’t look like being the case.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/c2ad1d73ef8f7be44cbef7a3a2bcec5d
