Phillips faces frustrating spell on sidelines

UNLUCKY Sheffield Steelers captain Jonathan Phillips could be out for up to three months after injuring the same knee for the second time in less than 12 months.

The 29-year-old was forced to spend several weeks on the sidelines last season after colliding with a goalpost and, after a collision with Dundee Stars defenceman Chris Zarb in Saturday’s 4-1 Elite League victory at the Motorpoint Arena, Phillips faces another lengthy spell out of action.

Phillips met with the Steelers’ medical specialist on Tuesday morning and while further tests and scans will be carried out in the next 24 hours, the likely outcome is that he will require further surgery.

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Long-serving import forward Jeff Legue will assume the role of captain in the absence of the popular Phillips, who is now in his sixth season in South Yorkshire.

Steelers’ player-coach Ryan Finnerty - now trying to bring in a quality replacement for Phillips - said: “It’s a huge blow. For this to happen to Jono twice in 12 months is crazy.

“He worked harder than anyone in the summer to get back to full fitness. He has been playing so well for us and for the knee to get hit again is just cruel.

“What’s important is that we get Jono seen to and put right. Both of us have met with Tony Smith and we have already put our plans into operation. This will almost certainly mean an operation.

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“We require a further scan and this will be carried out this week.

“We are looking at the possibility of bringing in a forward to replace Jono but how do you replace your Captain, how do you replace a GB international? The honest answer is that you can’t.”

Legue, himself a Steelers’ veteran now in his fifth year with the club, said he would rather not have been named temporary captain under such cruel circumstances.

“It’s an honour to be named as captain, but I wish it hadn’t happened,” he said.

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“Jono remains our captain, I just get to wear the ‘C’ on game days. We wish him all the best and we want to see him return as quickly as possible.

“All I and the rest of the team can do is to play hard and win games ensuring we do him proud.”

The Steelers are back in Elite League action this weekend when they face a double header against the Cardiff Devils.

Finnerty - Cardiff’s captain last season - takes his charges down to South Wales on Saturday night before hosting Gerad Adams’s team the following day at the Motorpoint Arena (face-off 5pm).

It’s hoped that defenceman Rod Sarich, who missed last weekend with a back injury, will have recovered in time for Saturday.

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