Pitch blamed for Parker's toe woe

Last updated : 23 December 2004 By Paul Lagan
The new £200, 000 pitch is to blame for Scott Parker's broken toe.
The midfielder confirmed that his broken metatarsal bone will keep him out for around three months.
He is reported to have said: "The pitch was pretty poor, I seemed to buckle my foot and I knew straight away because I felt something pop," he said.

"I went to a specialist and we've ruled out it being a stress fracture. We think it is a straight break."

He added: "I went straight over to the bench after we had scored and I said to Mike Banks I think I have broken something in my foot.

"The boss said to come off but I wanted to carry on. Everyone knows my situation and I just wanted to impress.

"Maybe I've made it a bit worse but I just wanted to stay on. It was probably stupid. It was only five minutes after coming on and I didn't want to come off.

"If I can be back in late February, early March I will be really happy."