Ben Johnson hamstring blow
02/09/2012 05:54:19 AM
Collingwood's injury woes have continued with veteran Ben Johnson facing four weeks on the sidelines after suffering a grade one hamstring strain.
The news comes just three days after premiership team-mate Alan Didak was ruled out for a month after tearing his adductor muscle.
Johnson sustained the injury during training at Gosch's Paddock on Wednesday and now looks set to miss a decent chunk of the NAB Cup along with Didak.
"Unfortunately for Ben, scans confirmed a hamstring strain, and he will now go through a rehab program with the aim of being back into full training within three to four weeks," Collingwood director of football Geoff Walsh said.
Johnson missed nine games in the middle of last year with back and hamstring issues but still managed to average 22.5 possessions in the 16 matches he played – including the losing grand final.
He has played a total of 224 games for the Magpies since debuting for them in 2000 after being taken with the 62nd pick in the 1999 draft.
In better news for Collingwood, football and coaching strategist Rodney Eade revealed on Wednesday that key defenders Ben Reid (shoulder) and Nathan Brown (knee) would probably feature in the pre-season competition at some stage.