Laville Set To See Specialist

Last updated : 16 September 2003 By Mark Heys
Bolton Wanderers are to send injured defender Florent Laville for surgery by a top specialist who's methods are very similar to that of Dr Richard Steadman, a USA based specialist who deals with operations of the knee and who has in the past helped Jussi Jaaskelainen and Ricardo Gardner back to full fitness following the same injuries.

The 30-year old defender Laville was strechered off on the half hour mark during Bolton's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday and the Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce is contemplating sending the Frenchman to Steadman who has also helped other players within the league receive treatment and Laville is expected to be the next person to benefit from that. The former Lyon man has had this type of injury before having injured his other knee two years ago in France

"A French surgeon operated on Florent on the first occasion and he could go back there, because he uses similar methods to Dr Steadman." said Allardyce

"We will look at the rehabilitation periods involved, and if they are both around five or six months then Florent may go to France." he added