McPake Out Of Ipswich Clash
Last updated : 15 October 2010 By Covsupport News Service/RD
Coventry City's fearless defender James McPake will miss Saturday's trip to Ipswich because he has concussion.
The 26 year old Scot was injured during a training session when he tried to head a ball, but headed another player's head instead.
McPake had only just returned to fitness having recovered from a groin problem and had only been named on the bench at a couple of weeks ago. He was not expected to be in City's starting eleven at Portman Road, but now he will miss the trip entirely.
Coventry boss Aidy Boothroyd believes that McPake has been unlucky with his injuries and praised his bravery, but also questioned his judgement.
"He's as brave as a lion and goes into situations you wouldn't put a bulldozer in," he said. "He's utterly fearless and he's got a whack on the head in a practice match because he went to head a ball and somebody headed his head. There aren't many people who put themselves into that position.
"You get defenders who throw themselves into things, put their bodies on the line, but he tackles people with his face and that's ridiculous! You want that sort of bravery in your team, but sometimes you have to try to put the reins on them."
McPake has only started 20 games for Coventry since his move from Livingstone in January 2009 because of a string of injuries. Since joining the Sky Blues, he has had a double hernia and dislocated shoulder, both injuries being long term.
Boothroyd, looking for positives, said, "I'm a big believer that luck evens itself out in the end so for the next five or ten years hopefully he won't be getting any more bumps and bruises."
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM