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Branch suffers ligament damage
By Chris Thompson November 29 2005
Skipper, Michael Branch, is likely to be out for four weeks after encountering damage to his ligaments in the weekend's clash against Peterborough.
Michael Branch is likely to serve the next four weeks out alongside fellow injury victim, and striker Gregg Blundell, who is expected to return in the next couple of weeks from a thigh injury.

It leaves manager Keith Curle short of options ahead of the all-ticket FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, with Ryan Lowe and Marcus Richardson left at the forefront of Chester's attack.

Young debutant striker, Paul Rutherford made an enthusiastic entrance in place of Branch on 72 minutes last weekend, and atleast to shorten the extent of the problem on Curle's hands, will be bidding for a place in the squad.

Michael Branch has been an everpresent in the Chester squad since receiving the vacant captaincy in the summer, and scored 6 times in all competitions - 3 coming from the penalty spot.

On the injury, Keith Curle was disappointed as he looked forward to the FA Cup tie against Forest, who twice won the European Cup in a glittering history.

"It's causing Michael a great of discomfort and he will see a specialist in the next day or so.

Branchy is likely to miss Saturday’s match but we are advising him to see a specialist because we don’t know the extent of his knee damage.

He impressed me with his performance against Peterborough at the weekend and, without a shadow of a doubt I think we’ll really miss him against Nottingham Forest.

I’d ideally like to go into the match against Forest with a fully fit squad, but if every player was fit we’d still be classed as underdogs for the match.

It is very disappointing to have two front line players scuppered before such a big match.

But this situation was one reason why I signed four centre forwards in our squad at the beginning of the season.

A rotation system has been in place for our forwards since our pre-season matches because of the eventuality of one or two strikers picking up injuries. "

Chestercity.Co.nr

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