Howard out for a month

Lyndon Lloyd , 8 March, 25comments | Jump to most recent

Back fractures to keep American out until April

Tim Howard has been ruled out of the FA Cup quarter final with Wigan Athletic this weekend and is likely to be out until April after it was revealed that he fractured two bones in his back in the later stages of the fifth round replay with Oldham.

The American will not require surgery but there is no definite timescale on his recovery either given the nature of his job as a goalkeeper and the greater impact that diving has on the spine.

The Guardian quote David Moyes as saying: "Tim is out against Wigan. He has broken two bones in his back. We don't think he will be out for the season.

"I read that [Newcastle's Fabricio] Coloccini could be out for seven weeks [with a similar injury] but we are not sure how long Tim will be out for because, obviously with a goalkeeper, he has to dive around and hit the ground.

"I have let him go away for a few days. It might be that, if everything goes well, he misses next week's game as well and then because of the international break he might be close after the rest because that would be four weeks."

That would mean Howard could be pencilled in for the home game against Stoke City on 30th March, though his manager remains cautious.

"He has two fractures," Moyes continued, "but they are not bones that are supporting anything. It is off the spine. They are not weight-bearing. It just needs a bit of healing time. It is not like a pure fracture where you need to wait to look at it.

"It is a question of whether he can cope with the pain. The bones will heal themselves but it's not good."

Howard was on course to break Neville Southall's record of consecutive League starts for Everton but fell a handful of games short at 206 when he missed the clash with Reading last weekend. It was the first Premier League game he had failed to start in over five years.

Reader Comments (25)

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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 09/03/2013 at 00:20:31

Pretty gutsy to finish that game with that kind of an injury. He's a soldier.

Ian Allaker
2 Posted 09/03/2013 at 00:45:47

He was looking a lot braver over the last 2 or 3 games, coming out a lot more to catch the ball, its a shame.

Ben Jones
3 Posted 09/03/2013 at 02:17:30

Agree with you Ian, he did pretty decent in catching balls from corners in the last few games.

Big chance for Mucha now though.

Peter Cummings
4 Posted 09/03/2013 at 02:12:18

Yes, Ian, I have always been critical of his failing to dominate his area but have seen a big improvement in his last 3 games in this aspect... so he will be missed and could cost us tomorrow, along with the Jagielka's absence.

Anto Byrne
5 Posted 09/03/2013 at 02:25:56

A Mucha wanted cleana sheet required today. Jelavic to score the winner.

James Flynn
6 Posted 09/03/2013 at 02:36:03

The "Ewing Theory"?

COYB

Sam Hoare
7 Posted 09/03/2013 at 02:58:00

Hmmm. I suspect we might have Mucha to complain about in the gk department over the next month.

Mike Gaynes
8 Posted 09/03/2013 at 04:50:19

Mucha do about nothing.

Danny Burke
9 Posted 09/03/2013 at 07:59:29

Interesting that the BBC interpret this saying he has broken 2 bones in his back but they are not part of his spine. I'm a Radiographer, bones are what I do. There are no bones in your back that are not part of the spine. I'm assuming the fractures are of his spinous processes which are at the posterior (rear) part of each vertabrae, this part of each vertabrae is not load bearing which is what Moyes also says. The main thing is that the vertebral bodies and spinal chord are unaffected. I'd expect him out longer than 4 weeks, although you can never say exactly.

Steve Guy
10 Posted 09/03/2013 at 08:06:01

I blame the ref in the Oldham game. Howard had little protection from the rough housing and so the Oldham players just kept it going.

Mucha regardless of the puns is not a Prem goalie and I think we will do even better to keep clean sheets in the next month now. Some big games coming up so I hope I'm wrong............

Drew Shortis
11 Posted 09/03/2013 at 09:22:51

Bad news for Tim, but a month is not an eternity. Good news for Jan who has been very patient over the past few years and when he has had an opportunity to play I think the pressure to preform has caused him to make a few errors. Now he knows he is in for a run in the team I really hope he takes the opportunity to show what he is capable of. Looked pretty steady in the Reading game.

Trevor Lynes
12 Posted 09/03/2013 at 09:55:18

The goal Oldham scored when they equalized should never have stood.
Their goalkeeper blatantly baulked Howard by having both arms above his head and just jumping into him.
Howard was furious as he walked off at the end.
I often think Goalkeepers are given too much protection but it was not in evidence during that incident which was a throwback to the Nat Lofthouse days and the neck injury to Bert Trautmann.
I just hope that Mucha can dominate the box and not stay rooted to his line for crosses.
My God Im worried about Heitinga and now Mucha

Kev Johnson
13 Posted 09/03/2013 at 10:06:07

Is Jan Mucha the new Bobby Mimms? I sincerely hope not.

Ray Roche
14 Posted 09/03/2013 at 10:22:51

Kev, as long as he's not the new Lawson.

Or Dai "The Drop" Davies!!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!

James Marshall
15 Posted 09/03/2013 at 10:31:43

I broke 2 non-load-bearing bones in my back in July of last year in a bike crash. Landing twisted on the road in a similar way to TH's landing in the Oldham game so it sounds like a very similar injury. (Bad form by the Oldham player taking him out by the way)

I would be doubtful at him being (no pun intended) back fully fit in 4 weeks. More like 6 minimum if my experience is anything to go by.

PS I've broken pretty much everything (arms/legs/nose/ribs/cheekbone/knee/thumbs/fingers etc) and doing your back really effin' hurts!

Ray Roche
16 Posted 09/03/2013 at 10:36:17

Clumsy get, aren't you?

Frida Ericsson
17 Posted 09/03/2013 at 10:33:03

Well, he wasn't that bad last week against reading, the goal he conceded was entirely down to woeful defending as usual.

Mucha as an opportunity to prove himself now, with a run of games. Everyone slated him as crap, but let's not forget his performances for his country. He is a really good shot stopper, doesn't conceded daft goals, and doesn't sit behind his goaline like howard tends to do, and he isn't a flapper at crosses either.

Due to Moyes favouritism with clumbsy Howard, Mucha as never really stood a chance, and that must be extremely demoralising. Everyone is entitled to make a mistake, but Howard seems to make far too many of them, and I have been hoping for his replacement. I just hope Mucha can prove to be better, which shouldn't be that difficult.

I have never really rated Howard. United let him go, because he wasn't good enough, we got him because we needed a keeper and had no money.

James Marshall
18 Posted 09/03/2013 at 10:37:50

I was a goalkeeper, Ray (you get twatted a lot in Saturday leagues!) and played a lot of football over the years = loads of injuries. And I cycle about 150 miles a week so I'm well acquainted with the road - occupational hazards!

Ray Roche
19 Posted 09/03/2013 at 10:47:27

James, I was a centre forward. I used to twat Goalies. It has, however left me with two knackered knees which will eventually need replacing, but ,looking back, it was worth it. I think.

Graham Mockford
20 Posted 09/03/2013 at 10:52:27

Frida

You ever met Jimmy Sorheim? if not I think you would get on like a house on fire.

James Marshall
21 Posted 09/03/2013 at 10:57:51

Ray - you were one of those bastards that used to enjoy standing on my arms/hands/fingers or kicking me in the bollocks jumping for crosses.

Cheers - Here's to your knees ;-)

Nick Entwistle
22 Posted 09/03/2013 at 11:01:22

The Oldham player targeted Howard who jumped unchallenged into the air to catch the ball. No threat or opportunity for anyone. And the Oldham guy ran in and gave him a nudge which meant he landed on his back. Prick.

James Stewart
23 Posted 09/03/2013 at 11:48:17

Mucha surprised me in the last game and was much better with quick distribution than howard so this might not be such a bad thing

Tom Evans
24 Posted 09/03/2013 at 12:17:51

On the subject of possible replacements for Howard, one person touted was Jack Buckland. After seeing him play last week for Birmingham against Hull, I think we dodged a bullet there. He was abysmal.

Eugene Ruane
25 Posted 09/03/2013 at 12:30:11

Obviously not good news for Tim, but great news for Mucha IF he takes his chance. By the sound of the diagnosis on Tim, Mucha has a chance to get a couple of months worth of games behind him. To get the supporters behind him and form some sort of..um..'relationship'. To feel more a part of things, more a part of Everton. Can't really have been easy for him since he's been with us (international keeper playing nothing but reserve games and the odd league cup game) but it's up to him now to keep Tim out. Last week's performance was a more than decent start, so hopefully he comes in today relaxed and confident.

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