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6 years ago

Latest: Brattan provides update after scary incident

Melbourne City midfielder Luke Brattan is recovering well after a frightening incident in the club’s FFA Cup clash with Brisbane Roar on Tuesday night, providing an update on social media about the scare.

Elsewhere, Wellington Phoenix boss Mark Rudan has revealed the role the wife of midfielder Michal Kopczyński played in the Poland star’s move to the club.

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All that and more in this edition of Hyundai A-League Paper Talk!

GOOD NEWS FOR CITY’S BRATTAN

MELBOURNE City midfielder Luke Brattan has been cleared of a serious injury after being taken to hospital during the club’s FFA Cup win over Brisbane Roar on Tuesday night.

In frightening scenes, play had to be stopped for almost 40 minutes as Brattan received treatment on the Dolphin Stadium pitch.

Brattan was left prone on the ground after a seemingly innocuous collision in the 36th minute with Roar’s Stefan Mauk, with the City playmaker slipping while fighting for possession and copping an accidental kick to the head.

There were serious concerns for Brattan’s welfare but fears were eased late on Tuesday night when the he was given the all clear by the medicos.

On Thursday, Brattan shared a light-hearted message on social media which thanked fans for their concern and singled out Bruno Fornaroli’s late winner in the FFA Cup tie.

“Thank you so much for all the messages, overwhelmed with all the love! Extremely blessed,” Brattan posted. 

“What a shift from the lads! And of course the worldie from the idiot #TUNA23 [Fornaroli].”

 

Luke Brattan receives treatment from City medical staff.

HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE

The Phoenix are excited about the impact Kopczyński could have on the Hyundai A-League this season, and it seems they have his wife to thank for helping him get to Wellington.

While Rudan revealed in an interview with the Fox Sports website he looked at more than 60 holding midfielders, the 26-year-old Pole was near the top of the list.

After working through the logistics, Wellington finally got their man, thanks in no part to the sporting pedigree of his wife.

“We made contact and found there was interest, but it took us a long time to get him to New Zealand,” Rudan told Fox Sports.

“However, his fiancee plays Rugby Union for Poland, and she knows New Zealand is a big rugby country, which perhaps made it easier!

“Sometimes it works that way. He comes from a good breeding ground, because Legia develops a lot of good players.”

Rudan also spoke about another new recruit – former Premier League defender Stephen Taylor – who he declared is having a huge impact around the club.

“The environment is changing – and just speaking to him on the phone I could see he was up for the challenge. It certainly isn’t about money,” Rudan said of Taylor.

“He has been superb, the way he is among his teammates, the respect he has – his energy, professionalism, how he eats and prepares for games. He’s a fantastic pro, and a great guy to have in the dressing room.”

CITY TO REVEAL NEW PLAYING KIT

Mark down Friday night, August 10 on your calendars, with Melbourne City set to unveil their new playing strips for the 2018/19 Season.

In an exclusive event at Birrarung Marr near Federations Square, City are giving some lucky fans to be there for the reveal.

City’s entire playing squad will be in attendance, just three days after the club’s FFA Cup Round of 32 clash against Brisbane Roar.

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