Mackay Has No Concerns Over Campbell Fitness

Cardiff City completed the signing of Frazier Campbell this week in a move largely welcomed by Bluebirds fans keen to see more pace up-front and additional goalscoring pedigree in the squad. However, despite the near unanimous positive response, most reactions have been qualified with 'as long as he stays fit'.

Campbell suffered a bad ACL knee injury which has clearly hurt his progression at Sunderland. The Cruciate Ligament is an unfortunately common injury in football requiring 6 months rehabilitation. Nicky Maynard is suffering the same condition now while the problem presents difficult decisions for physios and coaches since there is currently no quantitative way to monitor the rehab and inform a 'back-to-sport' decision - where relapse may be catastrophic.

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay however is nothing if not thorough when signing new players and he has revealed he has no fears of recurring problems for the striker. Mackay told the Western mail:


"We`ve no concerns about the injury. Fraizer has been through a full and thorough medical,we actually spoke to the surgeon who did the operation on Fraizer, we know him through our medical staff and that helped satisfy us."


"Fraizer has now been fit for a year so I have absolutely no concerns about his fitness. It is an injury and a recovery process that a lot of players have been through."


Campbell has not played too much first team football over the past year, but is ready to make an immediate impact. It is very encouraging that, for the first time, we wont have to rely on such a new signing to play regularly and immediately. City now have Bellamy, Helguson and Campbell with young prospects Gestede and Mason to back them up and provide alternative options.

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