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Gareth Fullerton

Glentoran coach Rodney McAree rubbishes Conor McMenamin claims as he clarifies latest injury

Rodney McAree insists there was "no dishonesty" surrounding Conor McMenamin's injury saga.

McMenamin was reported to have fractured his left fibula after being stretchered off against Coleraine nine days ago.

It then emerged on Saturday that follow-up scans had revealed no break, with the Northern Ireland winger named in Glentoran's starting XI against Cliftonville on Sunday.

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Some rival fans were quick to question the true extent of McMenamin's prognosis, with some jokingly labelling the player's recovery as 'Lazarus-like'.

McMenamin's shock return unfortunately lasted only 24 minutes against the Reds, but first-team coach McAree said the latest injury is not linked to the knock he took against Coleraine.

"The injury Conor came off with is a completely different one to the injury he got last week," first-team coach McAree said.

"He got studded on his toe, and he had a problem with his toe last season or the year before which kept him out for a little bit.

"We wouldn't have risked Conor if we thought there was a problem in playing him. We wouldn't do that with anyone."

McAree also insisted Glentoran had not embellished the truth surrounding McMenamin's injury against Coleraine.

Explaining the timeline of events, he said: "Conor went for an X-Ray when we were playing the game at Coleraine. And we didn't find out the results until the following morning.

"We were told that X-Ray showed a slight fracture. We saw the X-Ray and there was a little shadow.

"Conor woke up on Saturday morning and said he didn't feel as bad as he thought he should have, so we managed to get an MRI done on Saturday which showed there was no fracture.

"There was no dishonesty from the club. It was something we were told on Saturday morning, that he had a fracture. And the MRI then subsequently showed he was fine."

Conor McMenamin lasted just 24 minutes before being forced off against Cliftonville (INPHO/Brian Little)

Glens boss Mick McDermott has been critical of the challenge that ended McMenamin's game against Coleraine, which resulted in Bannsiders defender Dean Jarvis receiving a yellow card.

On Sunday Glentoran forward Shay McCartan saw red for a clumsy challenge on Cliftonville's Rory Hale, with McAree admitting there was a feeling of inevitability about his club having a player dismissed for a tackle.

"I don't think it is the way Shay has gone into the challenge. I think it's the trailing leg that catches the player," he said of McCartan's red card.

"Whether it is a red is maybe a little bit harsh. There has been that much made over the last little while about people lunging in and making tackles.

"We always felt that if there was a red card going to be given, it would be given against us.

"I suppose Shay gave the referee that option, and it is something we have to take on the chin and move on."

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