Poškus hopeful after operation
Thursday, May 8, 2003
Article summary
Robertas Poškus is hoping to return for Lithuania's next qualifier after undergoing eardrum surgery.
Article body
Hearing worry
FC Krylya Sovetov Samara striker Poškus picked up the injury in the 1-0 friendly defeat by Romania in Kaunas on 30 April. In danger of losing his hearing, he was operated on in his hometown of Klaipeda on Monday. Poškus said: "I went down in sharp pain and couldn't hear anything in my ear. It was a shame to get an injury like that in a friendly."
Quick return
Krylya Sovetov coach Aleksandr Tarkhanov, whose side are eighth in the Russian Premier League, believes Poškus could return within the month, making him available for Lithuania's meeting with Iceland in Kaunas.
Injury blows
Poškus played all 30 of his club's Premier-Liga matches last season, but this year he has been plagued by injuries. He hurt his hip in the Russian Cup quarter-final defeat by FC Anzhi Makhachkala in March, keeping him out until just before the Romania game.
Second place
Lithuania lie second in Group 5, level on points with leaders Germany having played two games more. They suffered two further injuries in the fixture with Romania, Dunfermline Athletic FC player Andrius Skerla breaking his nose and fellow defender Tomas Zvirgzdauskas of Halmstads BK damaging his lip.