Robbie Savage is keeping his fingers crossed for Emeka Obi after admitting the Forest Green Rovers defender could face a season-ending ACL injury.
Obi went down clutching his knee after 37 minutes of Rovers’ 3-2 opening-day victory over FC Halifax Town, with Savage fearing the summer signing from Kidderminster Harriers could now face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Savage said: “It’s not good, we don’t think. I don’t like to speculate, but he just went down with his knee. Our physio went and checked it and initially it was stable and Emeka said it was fine.
“Then he just went to ground and it could possibly be an ACL, which, if it is, would be a season-ender. We just don’t seem to have any luck.
“I feel for the kid because he’s been brilliant since he came in. Let’s think positively and hope it’s not that, but the early signs are that it could be.
“It would be a huge blow for him – he’s the most important person in this – but also a huge blow for us.”
Obi’s early departure handed Tate Campbell an unexpected opportunity from the bench – and he grabbed it with both hands.
The midfielder dropped into an unfamiliar centre-half role alongside Swindon Town loanee Filozofe Mabete and impressed as Rovers held on for all three points.
Savage was full of praise for the youngster, who had been disappointed not to make the starting XI.
“His relationship with Phil, who was magnificent, was there for all to see,” Savage said.
“But I’ve got to give Tate Campbell huge credit. He was disappointed that he and Neil Kenji didn’t start, but I went with a different option.
“Tate came on and played at centre-half. Actually, at the open day here on Tuesday, we put Tate in the centre-half position, and he did really well.
“My mindset was that I had no centre-halves on the bench, but Tate could play as a six or a centre-half.
“Tate was magnificent when he came on.
“I just said to him, ‘Listen, Mendy was outstanding as a centre-half and a six. Why can’t Tate do that?’
“He’s got all the physical attributes, he can pass it, he can run and he can head it.
“So, yes, it’s food for thought for me.”
Gabe Kircough and Kyle Ajayi were also left out of the matchday squad, but Savage stressed both remain firmly in his plans.
“Gabe Kircough and Kyle Ajayi missed out, but they’ll be a huge part of the squad going forward, as I said to them all,” he added.
“So, yeah, it’s disappointing for Emeka, but hopefully the news will be positive. It doesn’t look good at the moment, though.”
