Source: Northern_Echo
Brough survives scare
MICHAEL Brough's first Darlington appearance ended in agony last weekend but the midfielder expects to be available for Saturday's trip to topof- the-table AFC Wimbledon.[LNB] The 29-year-old hobbled off in the second half of last Saturday's 6-2 win at Mossley after sustaining what appeared to be a serious ankle injury.[LNB] But Brough, after missing the first 16 games of the season, is determined to be available for the remainder of Quakers' season and has declared himself available for Saturday.[LNB] The good thing was that my knee survived that tackle.[LNB] He hit my shin and the challenge reverberated to my ankle, said Brough, whose Darlington debut was brought to a premature end by Mossley's Chris Rowney who was shown a red card.[LNB] It was a terrible challenge.[LNB] It's the last thing you need when you've been out like I have.[LNB] When I first stood up I thought I'd broken my ankle but after walking off the pitch I realised it wasn't as bad as I first thought, so I'll be alright.[LNB] I don't want to miss anymore games, I've missed enough already this season.[LNB] After joining the club in the summer he sustained a knee injury during a pre-season friendly with Carlisle, but now Brough is eager to get his season up and running.[LNB] It's been really frustrating,[LNB] he said. The lads have been really good with me, they have kept my spirits up but with us not doing too cleverly that has made it even more frustrating. You're thinking all the time that you could improve things.[LNB] I was the gaffer's first signing so I wanted to repay that faith by playing. Early on in the season the lads were doing quite well and I wanted to get involved in that, then obviously you want to get involved in the thick of it when things aren't going so well.[LNB] But these things happen.[LNB] I'm 29 and I've been in football all my life, so I know it's part and parcel of the game.[LNB] You've got to have the mental strength to come back and I feel I'm quite strong in that respect. Hopefully I can kick on now.[LNB] Meanwhile, Marc Bridge- Wilkinson has been nominated for the Player of the Round award for his performance at Mossley.[LNB] He scored one and made one in Darlington's fourth qualifying round success.[LNB] The midfielder has been shortlisted with Harrow Borough's Troy Hewitt, Luton's Amari Morgan-Smith, Corby's Nathan Jarman, and Cambridge's Simon Russell.[LNB] Supporters can cast their vote on theFA.com.[LNB]
