Bomber Welsh hopeful on hamstring - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Bomber Welsh hopeful on hamstring

Guy Hand 03/07/2011 12:53:10 PM Comments (0)

Luckless Essendon utility Andrew Welsh is hopeful his latest soft tissue injury setback won't spell the end of his AFL season.

Welsh is expected to miss at least three weeks after injuring his hamstring during the Bombers' stunning upset of Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

The 28-year-old had performed brilliantly in the first half in a negating role on dangerous Cats backman Matthew Scarlett.

Welsh also booted two goals himself before his hamstring gave way just prior to halftime.

"Hammy is pretty sore - hopefully it won't keep me out for too long," Welsh said via Twitter in response to a raft of messages of support.

It is the latest in a long line of injuries for Welsh, who has played just three matches this season.

He had groin surgery at the end of last season, then injured a calf during the warm-up in what was supposed to be his AFL comeback match against Gold Coast in May.

"It's really disappointing for Andrew because he started really well," Bombers coach James Hird said of the veteran's contribution in the four-point win over the Cats.

"He's missed a lot of football with soft-tissue injuries this year, but he can still play football and we'll be looking forward to having him back in the side when he's fit."

Gold Coast have three new injury concerns arising from their loss to Fremantle in Perth on Saturday.

Impressive ruckman Zac Smith, who had a nasty head clash with Fremantle defender Alex Silvagni, Sam Day (knee) and experienced Sam Iles (foot) are all under medical clouds.

Sydney onballer Craig Bird is also likely to have scans on Monday after sustaining a knee injury in the loss to Adelaide on Saturday night.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten expects to lose defender Simon White for at least the next fortnight after he injured a hamstring during the 103-point mauling of Richmond.

"I don't think it's a major one, but I think he'll be a couple of weeks with it because he's had one before," Ratten said.

"It'd be a risk to take him to Etihad Stadium (to play the Western Bulldogs next weekend) on a faster deck with a sore hammy."

But Ratten insisted forward Jarrad Waite's late-game resting because of a groin niggle was precautionary and he would play against the Bulldogs.

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