It has been revealed that Leeds United midfielder Eunan O’Kane was given a painkilling injection before the game at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday after cracking his ribs. The move was actually revealed by Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill.
O’Kane has linked up with the squad after a poor game on Sunday and in all honesty it would seem like the better option would have been to rest the player. Given the fact that nearly every player has been rested if there is a worry over their fitness this whole situation does seem strange. O’Kane is clearly a huge part of Christiansen’s plans with the Spanish gaffer willing to play him despite the injury.
O’Kane with a rare chance to impress in the second half of last season at Blackburn
O’Kane has had a very good start to the season and is one of the most important players in the new system but he was well off the pace on Sunday. He didn’t look like he was firing on all cylinders and a very uncharacteristic mistake led to the third although the game was well over by that point. Ronaldo Vieira and Mateusz Klich could both have played, the latter didn’t even make the bench and despite the clear problems in the middle of the pitch Vieira remained benched throughout.
