Planet Swans ArchivesDe Vries waqs stretchered away from the Liberty after 26 minutes after a sickening challenge with Martin Rowlands that ended with the Dutchman suffering a broken jaw.
Rowlands received a yellow card for his part in the challenge but surely late on a keeper like that – especially when you factor in the result – would have deserved far more.
De Vries will undergo an operation on Tuesday night but is expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks as a result which is likely to force Roberto into the loan market to bring in a replacement ahead of the weekend – ignoring the loan keeper we already have.
Speaking after the game, Iain Dowie said “We all wish the lad (Dorus de Vries) a speedy recovery. I don’t think there was any malice in that.
“I thought it was a ball Martin Rowlands was entitled to go for.”
Whilst Roberto added “I don’t think the player (Rowlands) is a malicious player. When the ball is there, you are allowed to challenge for the ball.
“But when you hit a goalkeeper on the face, it’s avoidable.”
