Big jake is back

[gragra]

Be assured, he would not be playing without a medical clearance.

[bondi-boy]

Lost faith in 'doctors' decades ago.

Hopefully the doctors giving him the clearance are good ones.

[Darkone]

quote:



Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is comfortable the club's medical staff have done everything to ensure Jake Friend has fully recovered from a serious chest injury and can face North Queensland on Friday.

Friend sustained a life-threatening hemothorax following the Roosters' win over Melbourne less than three weeks' ago and underwent surgery to drain two litres of blood from the affected area.

But after passing a barrage of tests and pulling up without any problems from a contact session on Wednesday, Robinson has no issue with his decision to select him for the do-or-die semi-final clash at Allianz Stadium.

"It's not a normal injury and it's hard to know if it's right or wrong," Robinson said.

"But he's proved himself enough this week and will be ready to go

"He came through a contact session yesterday and all the physical markers are there.

"Sometimes you have doubt in players, you can tell by the look in their eyes."

Friend returned to training last week and wanted to play against Penrith last Saturday only to be held back by Robinson and his medical team.

"Friendy has been hounding us since even before the last game," he said.

"He's not asking the question, he's telling us. We've done lots of scans and tests to make sure his blood levels are up, given the amount he lost.

"Plus we've also looked at all the cartilage in that area to make sure that's all repaired and he's passed everything.

"He wanted to play the last game, but I didn't think it was right. Everything that we have done is right. The medical team have taken a cautious approach."