Stan Hobbles Out Of Australia Game

Last updated : 17 November 2004 By Brian Cartlidge

The Blues winger, who has been nursed slowly back into Steve Bruce's first team squad over the last fortnight following a thigh injury which kept him sidelined for seven weeks earlier this season, was substituted just eight minutes into the second half of the international friendly at Craven Cottage clearly struggling with what looked like another thigh strain.

Stan now faces a race against time to shake-off the injury before Blues' away game at Blackburn this weekend. He is benefitted by having an extra day to recover however as the game at Ewood Park is on Sunday.

The game at Fulham finished all square at 2-2.

Elsewhere, Kenny Cunningham was left on the bench by Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr for their friendly international against Croatia at Landsdowne Road, Dublin.

The Blues skipper did however make an appearance when he replaced former Blues defender Gary Breen seven minutes into the second half.

Spurs striker Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the game in the first half to give the Republic a 1-0 win.