Red Devils dealt injury blow
Ballarat Red Devils will begin its National Premier Leagues (NPL) campaign without player-manager James Robinson, after the former A-League player succumbed to a knee injury.
The star recruit, who played seven matches for Melbourne Victory in its premiership-winning 2006/2007 season, is expected to undergo surgery in the next 10 days to repair a torn meniscus and will be sidelined for at least six weeks.
Red Devils chairman Duncan Smith said Robinson’s injury was a major blow on the eve of the NPL 2014 season.
“It’s very disappointing (to lose Robinson), it makes it that much harder for us,” Smith told the Ballarat Courier.
“We’re up against it enough without our best players going down before the season starts.
“He’s one of the marquee players of the league. Not having him out there definitely hurts, but you have to get on with it and hopefully he can be back as soon possible.”
The Red Devils will not play a home game until Round 7 (May 3) when it hosts South Melbourne, with its new show pitch at the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility yet to be completed.
They open their NPL 2014 campaign away to Bentleigh Greens in a Saturday night fixture on March 15.
Pictured: James Robinson in action for Melbourne Victory in the 2006/2007 Hyundai A-League season (credit: Getty Images).
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