England midfielder James Milner is cursing his hamstring injury but believes the decision to be substituted in Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur saved him from more serious injury.
Yorkshireman Milner, 27, has cemented a first-team spot this season, scooping a number of fans’ man of the match awards in the process.
But despite watching City concede three second-half goals in his absence and crash to defeat, he admits it was the right decision not to risk aggravating his injury.
“I’m hoping to get back into training and hopefully be fine for the weekend which is obviously a positive,” he told the club website.
“Obviously we were 1-0 up at White Hart Lane when I went off and it was such a big game so you want to play every minute you can.
“I had a tight hamstring and as frustrating as it was to come off, I think it was the right decision.”
Milner, who suffered from a recurring hamstring injury earlier in the season too, revealed he has put the hard work in during the week in a bid to face West Ham United.
“I’ve done some work with the physios the past few days and didn’t take part in my charity golf day, which was disappointing,” he explained. “But football comes first.
“I think it was the right decision to come off. If I had stayed on the pitch I might have torn my hamstring and been out for the rest of the season.”
Image courtesy of FA TV via YouTube, with thanks.
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