Mon 26th Feb 2007

MIDFIELDER Spase Dilevski has returned to Australia to undergo an MRI scan on his injured right ankle and will know the full extent of the damage by the end of this week.

Initial fears of a serious break or worrying ligament damage have been allayed but the Under 23 international still faces several weeks on the sidelines.

According to Dilevski it was a regular tackle but uncomfortable landing that led to the injury.

“It happened during training in Hong Kong, just a normal session but it was pretty competitive as usual because everyone wants to prove themselves and make it into the team,” said the 21-year-old.

“I went in for a tackle and landed awkwardly on my ankle. I knew instantly that it wasn’t good because I couldn’t walk off the field, I had to be carried off. As soon as I took off my boot the swelling was already growing and it was pretty sore.

“The medical staff were a bit worried so they did some x-rays the next day which fortunately showed no breaks or fractures. They wanted me to get an MRI scan done so I was sent back to Australia and I have that done tomorrow (Wednesday). That will show which ligaments are damaged, but they don’t expect me to need surgery on it. It will be a case of resting it for a few weeks and keeping it in the cast that I have on now, then I’ll go on a rehabilitation program.”

Dilevski’s latest blow comes after a series of injuries during the season that hampered his progress during the campaign. A groin hernia in pre-season was followed by heel damage and a niggling hamstring strain, but naturally he hopes that this will be last setback for a while

“Yeah, it’s been a bit frustrating this season and I just want to get on with recovering from this injury and start preparing for the new campaign. Hopefully I’ll be injury-free next term and can get a good run in the team.

“There are positives and negatives associated with it. I’m naturally disappointed to miss the Under 23s games, but at least I know that I’ll be okay for the start of the next Hyundai A-League season,” he said.

Dilevski will head back to Melbourne during March for a bit of pampering at home but will be keeping a close eye on the progress of the Under 23s. Playing in the Asian Confederation is much tougher than most people think, he says.

“After playing Chinese Taipai and winning comfortably the tournament in Hong Kong was certainly up a level. China are a powerhouse of Asian football at the moment, particularly at under 23 level because that’s the team they have invested heavily into and they have been together for a while now.

“Playing in Asia is going to be a lot more difficult than most people imagine. Asian teams are very well organised and we are new to this environment so we have to adapt to it. There are very few easy games in international football anymore and we will have to be at our best in every level to do well in Asian tournaments.

“Even the smaller Asian nations are improving all the time and we have to make sure that we do the same.”