New injury blow for Michael Kightly

Tuesday 26th October 2010, 11:30AM BST.

New injury blow for Michael Kightly

Wolves head to the Carling Cup clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford troubled by another depressing blow for winger Michael Kightly.

Kightly is to undergo further surgery in Sweden in attempt to speed up his recovery from knee problems.

The 24-year-old winger has been out for almost a year after suffering patella tendon problems, while recovering from an ankle injury sustained in his last match for Wolves against Birmingham last November.

He said: “We’ve decided to try something different to  speed up my recovery. On a couple of occasions I’ve actually stepped up my rehab I’ve not quite made it, so I’m going to have the operation in Sweden.

“There are no timescale on my return but I’m feeling positive and hoping this will help me complete my recovery.”

Kightly was omitted from the 25-man squad list at the start of the season in recognition he was unlikely to be fit for duty before January.

But this latest setback will add to worries that he won’t feature for Wolves this season.

The player and the club are pinning their faith in the world renowned Sweden specialist who has previously reported good results with a number of high profile players.

Steve Kemp, head of Wolves’ medical department, said: “Kights has been able to reach a certain stage of rehab without being able to push on further.

“The patella tendon can be such a troublesome injury as some other high profile professional athletes will vouch for and we have tried to avoid surgery up until now.

“Michael has worked tirelessly during his rehab to strengthen his quads and work on his correcting any dysfunctional movement patterns he may have.

“Unfortunately the conservative rehab has got us so far, but we are unable to get him to the level required for Premier League football.”


  1. 1
    Stu Hinton

    No its not another new injury blow, its an operation to help speed up his recovery. You are meant to support Wolves, not keep creating negative stories.

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  2. 2
    Andrew Johnson

    It’s Matt Murray all over again……

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  3. 3
    PeteNuts

    He may have a dodgy knee, but this picture proves that, if nothing else, his dentistry situation is second to none. Lovely set of pearly whites, that, Michael, so well done there.

    There you go, that’s my positive spin on the story.

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  4. 4
    wolves81

    Crying shame but I do fear the worst for the boy

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  5. 5
    Alex Rae's Butler

    1 Stu Hinton – Well said !

    2 Andrew Johnson – is that your informed medical opinion ?

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  6. 6
    brummierobwolves

    A little concerned but to be honest now Hunt is back he is not needed. The question is whether he will ever be back to full fitness?
    An interesting dilemma tonight as we need to get back to winning ways but there will be a few players rested from Saturday’s line up. The team will probably be something like this and against a largely second string Utd team we could cause a shock.

    Hennessey Stearman Mouyokolo Berra Elokobi Mujangi-Bia Mancienne Milijas Hunt Fletcher SEB

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  7. 7
    Tony S

    I have my doubt about the quality of the Wolves medical staff. As Andrew says its Matt Murray all over again!
    Whats makes it so bad is that they are/were two of Wolves best players (not fringe players but key first teamers).
    Frustrating and very sad for all.

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  8. 8
    purewolves

    2 Andrew! I think I have to agree with you but I do really hope not but would like to wish Kites all the best with his operation.

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  9. 9
    Dave

    Face facts hes crocked, answers simple sign chris eagles in January.

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  10. 10
    physio room

    Well at least Kightly will be fit for next season, we will need all the help in the world as the championship will be stronger next year.

    I really fear for us now, we could be 6-9 point adrift after the next 3 games.

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  11. 11
    Psalm 23

    Baggie in Peace.

    A real shame for a talented young footballer to be so injury plagued.
    Always rated Kightly highly and expected him to be one of your star performers if he had stayed injury free last season.
    Im one Baggies fan that hopes all the midlands clubs stay in the prem for many seasons to come and prove we have some of the best football fans in the country.
    Boing Boing

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  12. 12
    Jesus H Craddock

    1..Stu

    Spot on. Have you noticed the only quotes in the article refer to another subject entirely.

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  13. 13
    Dave

    I just hope we put out the first team for the league game. Cup run’d be nice but at the end of the day nobody’ll lose any sleep if we get knocked out.

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  14. 14
    Brigtet&Tonly

    Come on you Wolves dont let a gammy leg get in the way of a win , you know you want to.

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  15. 15
    JJ

    “Wolves team anxious to find only their second win of the season.”

    Since this is a Carling cup game shouldn’t they include our 2 carling cup wins in this stat.

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  16. 16
    Welshwolf

    Wolves have to believe they can win when they go on the pitch for any game. It’s very disheartening to hear MM speaking of the Bolton game already. It’s not at all beyond our spirited Wolves team, with our best players in their best positions, taking all the points against Man City. Why can’t we just go out 4-4-2 with Milijas in midfield and give it a real go?

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  17. 17
    Greeno

    I think the signing of Hunt was probably an indicator that MM doesn’t have much faith Kightly will ever return to his best. Players generally do not return to their best following the severity and frequency of injuries that Kites has suffered.

    JJ – you’re right.

    I personally would play mainly reserves for tonight. I know we need to get back to winning ways, but if it happens in the Carling Cup, then it’s of no use to us.

    Hennessey
    Foley Mouyokolo Stearman Elokobi
    Hunt Mancienne Milijas Van Damme
    SEB Fletcher

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  18. 18
    haywoods cheque book

    Well said 1. yet more poor reporting !!!

    so asks the question did mick really say a victory against one the elite, in the cup so be it ?? doubt it some how, he’d want a victory in the league sod the cup, its points we need not a cup run !!!!

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  19. 19
    Hartlebury Torch Man

    No 14 – Wasn’t Gammy Leg the Xfactor singer who the Home Office are trying to deport?

    Seriously though, its just as well that Tony Daly is the fitness coach – he’ll be a shining light on how to recover from a career threatening injury…

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  20. 20
    stfusd

    baggies fan here..

    sad to see a player of “kites” ability suffering these injuries at such a young age.

    wish him all the best.

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  21. 21
    Albrightondek

    Lets hope the surgery cures the problem but I fear the worst. Can’t see him returning this season. I wish him well.

    However we now have Stephen Hunt fit to play on the wing. The big difference between last season and this is there will be two geniune wingers who can play with Doyle (or Fletcher) spearheading the attack in a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 system.

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  22. 22
    Québec Wolf

    Poor guy. Let’s face it, his football days are over

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  23. 23
    Noisy

    Some of you really make me wonder. Do you think we have a team of butchers in the Sir Jack Hayward kitchens who double up doing a bit of knee surgery? He is going to get treatment from the best specialist available. No doubt he will get a rehabilitation plan which our team will implement. But no need to worry about the facts, just kick a few more of the club’s hard working employees.

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  24. 24
    Fozzy Bear

    I feel much better now after learning from all you media, medical and fitness experts. There’s some real gems amongst them but 7 questioning the capabilities of Wolves Medical Staff takes first prize.
    Shall we try and stick to giving our opinions on subjects we know a little about….. eh?

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  25. 25
    Filthy Wolf

    Careful: Looks like Mick made a correct decision in leaving him out of the 25.

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  26. 26
    harryg

    11-psalm 23 – well said mate – i also want all midland teams to stay up – BUT i dont think they all will – shame about kites , ialso fear the worst

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  27. 27
    kiwiwolfffffffffff

    All the best but i feel another sick note and not really sure he would set the Prem alight.
    Got to be said!!

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  28. 28
    Welshwolf

    A fit Kites would have adapted to the Premiership in much the same way that Jarvo has done.

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  29. 29
    Solentwolves

    Regarding Kites, I am going to think positive. I think you have to.

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  30. 30
    scotwolf

    i hope he comes back fit and well, i would love to see kites and jarvis together both having a go at premiership defences.
    my dread is his injury continues and we have another matt, fingers crossed my fears are unfounded.
    at least with hunt now fit we have a good replacement.
    watched game at chelsea and we played well and had some good chances but their quality showed.
    we need to keep that tempo up and hopefully we can get something from tough tricky games coming up.
    come on the wolves…hurry back kites…

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  31. 31
    simon

    Isnt this the same injury that Owen Hargreaves has been suffering with?

    Two years he has been out the game so this may be bad reading for us wolves fans!!!

    Good luck MK, hope to see you soon.

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  32. 32
    HHwolf

    So, if he had this surgery a year ago, or at least if he went to see this world renowned
    specialist a year ago , would he be fit now???? why does it seem like we are penny pinching on such an important players recovery.

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  33. 33
    JACK the HAT.

    Sorry Kites, I Think you’ve reached the point of no return. JtH.

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