JAMAICA and Queens Park Rangers defender Damion ‘Stew Peas’ Stewart will not after all require surgery after fracturing his skull on Saturday during his club’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
In fact, according to Sporting Life website, Stewart will be fit in time for pre-season training after being involved in a sickening collision with Crystal Palace’s striker Calvin Andrew inside the first minute at Selhurst Park and suffering internal bleeding as well as the fracture.
Head physio Paul Hunter told the club’s official website: “The results of the scans have given us some good news in the respect that there’s no further damage to what we were already aware of.
“These tests are more detailed than the original ones carried out at Mayday Hospital so could potentially have provided us with extra cause for concern. Thankfully, that’s not the case.
“Damion will have a precautionary brain scan on Thursday and will remain in hospital for the rest of the week.
“He’s currently at greater risk of developing infections so we need to keep a close eye on him. No surgery is required, which is great news, and having spoken with the surgeon, he is confident Damion will be ready to return for pre-season training.”
The Rangers defender was stretched out of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace after colliding with Eagles forward Calvin Andrew.
The incident, which occurred during the opening exchanges at Selhurst Park, left everyone concerned for Stewart’s wellbeing.
Those fears were heightened when it emerged that he had suffered a fractured skull and bleeding into the brain.
However, the 29-year-old is now over the worst and is taking the first tentative steps on the road to recovery.
Stewart, who signed for QPR in 2006, has netted nine goals in 151 appearances. He also has three goals for Jamaica from 55 games.
The former Harbour View standout represented his country at the Under-20 and Under-23 levels before making his senior international debut in 1999 against Ghana.