Nathan of Perth
Years ago
Greg Hire to miss 6 Weeks
Greg Hire to miss six weeks
Perth Wildcats co vice-captain Greg Hire will miss six weeks of basketball with a calf injury.
Hire sustained the injury at training yesterday morning, and scans have since revealed a tear to his left calf muscle.
Replacing him in the team will be training player Mathiang Muo, pending NBL approval.
Muo was signed by the Wildcats ahead of the 2013/14 season, but suffered an Achilles tendon injury early in the pre-season, ruling him out for the entire year.
The 27-year-old was not re-signed by the club in the recent off-season, but has remained an important part of the playing group and hasn't missed a training session.
Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said while it is extremely disappointing to lose a player with as much heart as Greg Hire, he is pleased to be able to give Muo an opportunity.
"Greg (Hire) is a vital cog in our team, and if we didn’t have him on Friday we would have lost by a lot more. His energy and his work ethic and his unselfishness is going to be sorely missed," said Gleeson.
“The last 16 months have been a roller coaster for Mathiang (Muo), but that’s professional sport and his attitude has been first class.
“He’s been working hard and now he gets his opportunity. Other players will also have to step up with Greg out so it’s exciting to see who takes that opportunity and runs with it.”
Mathiang Muo will be signed as an injury replacement player pending NBL approval, and will remain contracted until Greg Hire returns to the court.
The Wildcats expect Muo to make his NBL debut on Friday night at Perth Arena against the Wollongong Hawks.
