CHRIS LAKEY Bryan Gunn say Robert Green has the strength of character to fight back from his World Cup devastation and regain his place as one of England's top goalkeepers.

CHRIS LAKEY

Bryan Gunn say Robert Green has the strength of character to fight back from his World Cup devastation and regain his place as one of England's top goalkeepers.

“It is a test of character for Robert to overcome this,” said Gunn, who has watched Green rise to the top of the goalkeeping tree he himself once occupied at Carrow Road.

“This is a massive blow in his young career, but the strength of the man will be seen in his recovery period. It is a period we hope will be a short one - it is up to Robert and the medical team to get him back to full fitness and, hopefully, starting the first game of next season.”

“His chance has gone this time but Robert is young enough to be around for the next World Cup.

“But a lot of his focus and hard work was geared towards Germany and it is so disappointing for him. But the main thing is he gets the treatment he needs and recovers from the injury and gets back playing as soon as possible.

“He's come back from serious injuries when he was a youngster, with back and hand injuries. They are obviously serious injuries for a goalkeeper. But he has showed a lot of qualities in coming through that, so hopefully he will show the same resolve.”

Gunn, now the club's official ambassador after an illustrious career in Norfolk, said Green had suffered a freak injury which he described as devastating for the 26-year-old.

“It was a sickly feeling when you are watching what happened,” said Gunn. “You just don't see a player simply keel over. It was strange - I have never seen it before, and for it to happen to someone you know well it makes it that much more unbelievable.

“It's twice as bad for us and the Norwich City fans but goodness knows what it was like for Robert, who has worked so hard to get into this position and get into the England squad.

“The fact there was a rupture is a horrible injury and devastating for Robert. I sent him a text saying how gutted I was and wished him all the best.”

Gunn had his fair share of injuries in a 12-year career at Carrow Road, including broken legs and a serious back injury.

“I had a couple of freakish things happen to me on the pitch but as far as injuries I had nothing like this,” he said. “It just goes to show that with the finely-tuned footballers these days anything can happen.”

Gunn's participation in the 94-95 season was ended by a dislocated ankle which ruled him out for the rest of the season, and the former Scotland international said freak injuries such as his and Green's were usually serious ones.

“It usually happens like that with all freak injuries,” he said. “It usually results in a serious injury.”