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Bulging disc concerns Manly's Matai
July 10, 2007 - 4:44PM
Manly enforcer Steve Matai admits he is concerned about the bulging disc in his neck which requires surgery and will keep him a week-to-week prospect for the rest of the NRL season.
Matai made his comeback from the injury in the Sea Eagles 56-0 thumping of the Sydney Roosters last Saturday night after five weeks sidelined.
Even though he came through the game unscathed, despite one scare after a hit up during the match, Matai said he will remain a week-to-week prospect for the Sea Eagles as the medical staff carefully manage his serious injury until he has an operation after the season.
Matai has been told his neck injury isn't as severe as those suffered by Newcastle's Andrew Johns and Rooster Anthony Minichiello but it has been enough to put doubt in his mind when he is on the football field.
"It does (affect me) a little bit. Just the confidence in tackles and that sort of contact, but other than that it's not too bad," said Matai.
"I took a hit up (against the Roosters) and got knocked in the head and kind of got up a bit sore but played through okay.
"It's a week to week thing, hopefully I pull up right by the end of the week and can get on the field by Friday."
Matai had been named to make his comeback for the past fortnight but doctors failed to give him clearance until last week.
The 22-year-old Kiwi international said it had been a frustrating spell on the sidelines but knows he can't push the boundaries when it comes to the spinal region.
"It felt like an eternity," he said.
"It was pretty serious and the medical staff didn't want to risk me coming back too early.
"It is a possibility that I might have to have an operation but hopefully it's not too bad.
"It's a bulging disc and the doc said I could play through with it and have an operation at the end of the year and that's the action we might take.
"I haven't spoken to any of them (Johns or Minichiello) but the doctors reaffirmed to me that it's not really, really serious and hopefully I can get back."
July 10, 2007 - 4:44PM
Manly enforcer Steve Matai admits he is concerned about the bulging disc in his neck which requires surgery and will keep him a week-to-week prospect for the rest of the NRL season.
Matai made his comeback from the injury in the Sea Eagles 56-0 thumping of the Sydney Roosters last Saturday night after five weeks sidelined.
Even though he came through the game unscathed, despite one scare after a hit up during the match, Matai said he will remain a week-to-week prospect for the Sea Eagles as the medical staff carefully manage his serious injury until he has an operation after the season.
Matai has been told his neck injury isn't as severe as those suffered by Newcastle's Andrew Johns and Rooster Anthony Minichiello but it has been enough to put doubt in his mind when he is on the football field.
"It does (affect me) a little bit. Just the confidence in tackles and that sort of contact, but other than that it's not too bad," said Matai.
"I took a hit up (against the Roosters) and got knocked in the head and kind of got up a bit sore but played through okay.
"It's a week to week thing, hopefully I pull up right by the end of the week and can get on the field by Friday."
Matai had been named to make his comeback for the past fortnight but doctors failed to give him clearance until last week.
The 22-year-old Kiwi international said it had been a frustrating spell on the sidelines but knows he can't push the boundaries when it comes to the spinal region.
"It felt like an eternity," he said.
"It was pretty serious and the medical staff didn't want to risk me coming back too early.
"It is a possibility that I might have to have an operation but hopefully it's not too bad.
"It's a bulging disc and the doc said I could play through with it and have an operation at the end of the year and that's the action we might take.
"I haven't spoken to any of them (Johns or Minichiello) but the doctors reaffirmed to me that it's not really, really serious and hopefully I can get back."
