LARA has received some much-needed positive news, with scans clearing captain Dylan Jose of any serious damage from a knee injury suffered in a weekend practice match.
With the Cats already rocked by an Achilles injury likely to end the playing career of co-coach Devon Smith, the outcome for Jose is a welcome relief for the club.
When Jose was forced from Anakie Reserve during the second quarter of Saturday’s meeting with Hoppers Crossing, there were initial concerns that the first-year skipper had suffered a third ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his career.
“His knee is structurally all sound,” co-coach Shayne Stone said. “He had a little bit of an incident with his kneecap, so he’s got some rehab to do.
“He just had a little bit of a displacement. There was some swelling, and they could just see some in the MRI.
“Nothing major; just more about a bit of recovery.
“Hopefully, he’ll only be 2-3 weeks, and he should be right to go after that.”
Stone expects Jose to be right for the Round 1 clash with Leopold and hasn’t ruled him out from returning for practice matches against Point Cook Centrals and Werribee Districts on March 25 and April 1, respectively.
“We’ll take it pretty quietly with him and leave it up to him when he’s ready,” Stone said.
“Whether he gets the last practice match in or he’s right for the second last one.
“We won’t rush him back. He’s a very important player for us.”
Lara returned to training for the first time since Saturday last (Tuesday) night.
“Training was alright,” Stone said.
“I think the initial shock of everything has subsided a bit, and the boys are keen to get on with things.”
The Cats will enjoy Labor Day weekend off before hosting Sunbury Kangaroos at Bisinella Oval on March 18.
Twitter: @krockfootball
