Josh Cullen won’t let the memory of having a tooth knocked out affect him as he prepares for tonight’s Emirates FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury Town.
Cullen suffered the facial injury towards the end of the original running of the tie at Montgomery Waters Meadow, but will be fit to take on the Shrews at London Stadium and is determined to take his opportunity if selected.
The Ireland U21 captain is grateful to the quick thinking of Club Doctor Richard Weiler and the hospital staff in Shrewsbury for helping save the tooth and says he is always willing to put his head in where it hurts for the team.
He said: “The work on my tooth needed to be done on Monday to give him the best chance of saving it, but I made sure beforehand that it wouldn’t affect my chances of being selected for today. There was no way I wanted to miss that chance.
If I can battle through things, then I will and it takes a lot for me to leave the pitch or even miss a day’s training.
Josh Cullen
“The tooth that everyone who was watching saw come flying out needs to be secured and another tooth has been pushed back and has some damage.
“Richard Weiler, the club doctor, did brilliantly to save the tooth, keeping it ‘alive’ by putting it in milk. Straight after the game I went to hospital where the treatment I received was also fantastic.
“They managed to get the tooth back in with a splint which gave me a fighting chance of saving it.
“Some might call it brave to go back on afterwards, others stupid but that’s the way I am. If I can battle through things, then I will and it takes a lot for me to leave the pitch or even miss a day’s training.
“If it means losing a tooth or two, then so be it. I’ll always try to carry on and give 100 per cent for the shirt.”