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No surgery boost for Phoenix forward

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Manchester Phoenix forward Matt Rich has received a massive boost with the news that his injured knee will not require surgery.

Rich went for an MRI scan last week to determine the extent of the problem and the good news is that the problem is not as bad as first feared. "I'd been having physio treatment, but Diane suggested the scan so as to be sure of the problem with the meniscus," Rich noted.

The good news for Rich and the Phoenix is that the scan has revealed the knee will not require corrective surgery and continued daily physiotherapy could yet see Rich teturn this season. A Phoenix spokesperson remarked, "It's certainly good news for Matt after the year he's had. It would be great if he could yet play a part, but there is no way we'll put him in the line-up without the full approval of the medical staff."

Rich has had a terrible season as having been struck down by a severe bout of salmonella in the summer, he was unable to join the team on the ice until mid-December. Even after returning to the line-up, he was playing catch-up in terms of match fitness and strength, but the dogged Glaswegian was determined to make his mark. Then in mid-February, he limped out of a training session having tweaked the knee and he's been unable to do more than light on-ice work since.