Sheffield Steelers asset Robert Dowd nursing injury after three games at Italian loan team
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Dowd is thought to have been hurt in the rib area after an incident when he was playing for Eppan Pirates in the second division, last weekend.
Ironically, the winger had been competing against his old Steelers and Great Britain coach Paul Thompson, scoring an assist in the match.
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Hide AdThompson's team Unterland won 3-2 on penalties in a tie which Dowd was unable to finish.
It appears he was in considerable pain, as he withdrew from the ice.
Dowd has had some wretched luck with injuries over the years.
The Teessider missed out on no fewer than 25 games in Sheffield's Challenge Cup winning season, which ended early due to coronavirus.
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Hide AdDowd trained ferociously in the summer and was recruited, alongside Marco Vallerand, by Eppan who are now playing regular hockey again.
But if the damage is not too bad, Dowd should be back in the next week or two.
A fit Dowd and Vallerand would be air-lifted back to Sheffield very quickly if the Elite League was to resume activities in the new year.
The EIHL has applied for Government funds to allow them to stage some sort of tournament but the chances appear to be receding with every passing day.
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Hide AdMeanwhile club captain Jonathan Phillips is still awaiting a firm development on his proposed move overseas.
His Steelers' team-mate Marek Troncinsky has attracted some attention from clubs in his native Czech Republic but has yet to settle on a job.
*Ex Steeler Luke Ferrara scored his first goal and two assists in his third game for Bordeaux.