Doc: It Could Have Been Worse

Club doctor Ges Steinbergs says that Paolo Di Canio is determined to be back before the end of the season after being stretchered off in the 2-0 victory over Charlton on Saturday.

Scan results of his knee injury confirm that there is damage which will rule him out for a number of weeks, but Ges reveals: "He has sprained his medial collateral knee ligament and that means, at the moment, that he is likely to be back in three or four weeks.

"He is disappointed that he is going to miss a few fixtures as he wanted to help keep us up in seventh place - but he is focused on returning for the last match of the season against Bolton.

"Although it is difficult to lose a key player like Paolo, the fact is it could have been much worse and done damage which would have affected him through to next season.

"We will have an even better idea in a couple of weeks, but the knee looks okay.

"It was a case of him catching his studs in the turf as he twisted to get away from the challenge."

Meanwhile, Joe Cole has been told he can play on despite injuring a finger on Saturday, and Ges says: "He has a small fracture, a little chip to the bone, but he will be able to continue performing."