Influential right sider Pipe, who won NCM's player of the season poll, will miss out on the last game of the season at home to Oldham after a nasty challenge from Charlie Oatway saw the 20-year-old be taken off on a stretcher during the second half in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the Withdean Stadium.
Initially it was feared that Pipe had in fact broken his ankle but x-rays revealed he has torn ligaments in his ankle. This however, is possibly a more serious injury which will keep him out of action for up to 8 or maybe more weeks, though he is expected to be fully recovered by the time the players report back for pre-season training.
Rightly so, manager Gary Mills was absolutely livid with the unprofessional tackle from the
“I couldn't see it too well from the far side of the pitch, but even from there it looked nasty.
Maybe he was lucky to escape with a yellow card. But the important thing is Pipey. He hasn't broken his ankle, but it looks like he has ruptured the ligaments, which is perhaps slightly worse.
His season is over. But it shouldn't hamper his preparations for next season.” Mills told the Nottingham Evening Post.
Pipe, who signed a two year contract for Notts County last month, has won numerous man of the match awards on various websites and today, has been announced here on NCM the winner of our player of the season voting poll, despite only arriving at the club in January, when manager Gary Mills brought him in on loan from his former club, Coventry City.
NCM would like to wish David Pipe a speedy recovery and look forward to him returning in time for next season.