Kyle offers his advice as Brown ruled out for season (From The Northern Echo)

Kyle offers his advice as Brown ruled out for season

9:29am Friday 28th November 2008

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KEVIN KYLE last night urged James Brown to stay positive and concentrate on returning better than ever after being ruled out for the rest of Hartlepool’s season.

Pools confirmed yesterday that the club’s hot prospect ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.

It means Brown will not figure again this season, just three years after suffering a similar injury to his other knee in a pre-season friendly with Hibernian.

But Kyle, who endured almost two years of injury hell during his days with Sunderland, is confident Brown can make a full recovery provided he does not get too down.

“Kyle, on loan from Coventry until December 28, said: “Everything that could have gone wrong with his knee has gone wrong.

“It’s hard for him to take, and it’s hard for the team because he is one of the main players. His skill and ability are obvious and he can certainly play at a higher level so it’s a huge blow for all concerned.

“But I’m sure he will come back stronger from this and he just has to stay positive.”

With eight goals, Brown’s displays this season have caught the eye of numerous higher league clubs and there was a strong chance they would have made a move for his services come January.

The 21-year-old, from Cramlington, signed a new contract this season and his unavailability could seriously affect the club’s chances of closing the nine-point gap on the League One play-offs. Kyle, however, disagrees.

“The gaffer has never really been short of strikers before while I have been here,”

said Kyle, who is ineligible to play in the FA Cup at Fleetwood Town tomorrow. “But both Michael Mackay and Dave Foley can play up front and they will just have to take their opportunities.

“Michael is so eager to learn in training. He has a knack for scoring goals. As long as we can create chances there is a chance we will score goals.

“The play-offs are a realistic target if we can get some momentum going. There is an opportunity for players to come in and prove they deserve to be in the team.”

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