Music: {allcanada} Yakupov eyes quick return from foot injury

Friday, February 28, 2014

{allcanada} Yakupov eyes quick return from foot injury

PRISM (Deluxe Version) - Katy Perry

SHERWOOD PARK, AB – There’s good news to report when it comes to the health of Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov.

Initial tests revealed Friday that his right foot is not broken after blocking a bomb from teammate Justin Schultz in Thursday’s 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild. Yakupov did not participate in Friday’s practice at Millennium Place, but after getting his medicals done earlier in the day the 20-year-old did meet with the media to provide an update on his condition.

“I feel good. Much better than yesterday,” Yakupov said. “That shot from Mr. Justin Schultz, it hit right on the outside of my ankle.
“It’s OK, it happens sometimes. It’s part of the game, part of hockey.”

Yakupov left the game after playing only one shift in the third period. He stayed on the bench for a few minutes hoping to get back in, but the pain did not subside.

“I tried [to play], but it was uncomfortable,” he said. “If I couldn’t go at 100 percent, I wasn’t going to play. It wasn’t that bad. I felt it, for sure, but I didn’t think it was anything too serious.”

Yakupov is still in a walking boot, but he has not ruled out playing in Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-winger was playing his best hockey of the season prior to the injury, recording six points in his last seven games before the Olympic break.

“I’ve done [all] the tests,” Yakupov said. “I can move my foot, I can walk. But when you block a shot or get injured like this, you have to take some time, wait, ice it and go from there.

“I can’t say anything for sure right now, but I hope I can play.”

ARTPOP - Lady Gaga