Thigh's the limit for Robbie

Last updated : 08 August 2007 By Michael Morris
Robbie Fowler felt a slight strain in his thigh last Saturday and came off te field immediately. He's now hoping that by preserving himself he'll be able to play this Saturday against Stoke.

Speaking after the game against FC Twente boss Dave Jones said

"Robbie's stiff and sore and it's pointless us trying to push him that bit extra because he's already training two and three times a day some times," said Jones.

"He felt stiff and sore in the thigh and we told him to go as long as he could without pulling anything.

"After 25 minutes he felt that, he would only have played 45 minutes anyway.

"It wasn't because of a knock. We had told him just to go as long as he could.

"He's got a couple of days to get over it. We refuel him and go again with him then.

"Remember he's playing catch-up here, he's probably 10 days behind the level we're at. We just need to get him sharp now.

"There's nothing really wrong with him. He's just stiff and sore, and I know the fans wanted to see him, but I'd rather see him next week against Stoke, rather than in two or three weeks time because he pulled a muscle.

"I don't think he's too far away now. You saw some of his movement and touches, that's not in question.

"It's just his sharpness in question and we will get that for him."

Glenn Loovens is expected to be fit to face Stoke. Loovens was subbed against Twente after hurting himself in a tackle. If it had been a league game Loovens is likely to have returned to the pitch but nothing was risked as it was just a friendly.