The Late Fitness Test podcast. Episode Four.

Episode Four. The ‘Late Fitness Test’ podcast in association with Shoot the Defence. Cohosts Ben Dinnery, Johnny Wilson and Stel Stylianou tackle some of the main injury talking points from the last seven days:

Leroy Sane and his decision to go against club wishes and have reconstructive knee surgery in Austria. Johnny discusses autonomy of care and explains that the player, regardless of what he may have written in a pre-signing contract or whether it is an existing injury or a recurrence, he has a right to choose where he has that surgery and by whom.
Messi steps up his recovery….. Johnny makes his own sandpit and explains how rotational forces and forces going through the joint dissipate through the sand. Also, why it is such a good medium for training and/or recovery.
Eric Bailly contract talks and some standout stats. His availability rate for the Premier League is around 61 per cent. There have been 20 reported time loss injuries since his arrival at the club which culminates in almost a year on the sidelines. Can United afford to retain a player who will miss two in every five league matches?
Naby Keita’s ongoing groin problem and the ‘dreaded’ Watford endurance test.