Rob Edwards says he couldn’t force Teden Mengi to have the knee surgery that was advised in the summer, but says there’s no issue with the defender telling fans via his social media accounts after he went under the knife.
The centre back was missing for the 1-1 Championship draw with Swansea, and afterwards the manager revealed that he underwent surgery on Saturday morning for tear in his meniscus, which had “flipped”.
In a post on his Instagram account, Mengi revealed that he’d suffered a knee injury in the final game of the Premier League season and had been advised to have an operation, but that he chose not to.
Ahead of the visit of Stoke to Kenilworth Road tomorrow night, Edwards said of the defender: “After Fulham, when he came off, the medical advice was to have surgery. The consultant thought that was the right thing, that was what was going to be needed.
“Teden felt that it wasn’t the right thing for him and wanted to do it a different way. So, you can’t force someone to go under the knife. And, obviously he’s been training and playing since. Unfortunately, last week, there was an injury in training where there’s no alternative but to have the surgery. So that’s the situation.”
Asked if, in hindsight, Edwards wished Mengi had opted for surgery in the summer, he said: “It’s hard. You could put me in a really difficult position there because I can’t force someone to do that. The medical advice was to (have surgery). But that’s the situation.”
Edwards added of Mengi’s summer stance: “I think he felt good. He didn’t feel like it was warranted. He’s a strong lad, young lad. Some player players don’t want to have surgery. You know, they don’t feel comfortable having that.
“He felt he could, along with the staff, work with them, rehab, strengthen all the areas around it and come through. He’s got through a long period of time doing that. We always knew it was a risk.”
On Saturday Edwards explained the Mengi had injured his knee in a training drill, with the defender providing the detail on Sunday about rejected surgery in the summer.
Asked about the post, Edwards said: “Look, it’s the world that we’re in now. Players want to be able to communicate with the supporters and get their message across and try and show that they’re being positive in a difficult moment.
“We always try to keep things a little bit more in-house, but this communication now, there’s no issue with it. It’s what’s happened, it’s the truth, so it’s a situation.”
He added: “I’ve seen him for the first time today, this morning, with his brace on and everything. He seems positive, in a positive frame of mind. I’ve had a quick chat with him there this morning, and obviously now it’s going to be a long road to recovery, which is frustrating for everyone, but that’s the situation.”
The former Manchester United youth said after having his operation at the weekend: “There comes a point where it starts to become dangerous”.
Edwards said: “There was always that risk, yes. We all knew that. Teden knew it as well. So, unfortunately, it has happened and he’s had to have the surgery.”
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