• Victor Francoz sustained a deep gash in the fall
• ‘You just don’t get players climbing trees’, says manager
• Football’s freak injuries: from exploding eggs to monster carps

Oxford City’s manager Mike Ford says he has “no sympathy” for his goalkeeper Victor Francoz, after the player was injured after falling out of a tree trying to rescue a cat.

Oxford, who currently lie in the Skrill North relegation zone, will be without Francoz for at least two weeks, with the Frenchman sustaining a deep gash in his calf in the fall.

“It’s ridiculous,” Ford told The Oxford Mail. “I’ve not got any sympathy for him at all because he’s done it to himself. He fell out of a tree when he was trying to get a cat.

“He’s got a deep cut and unfortunately now we don’t have Victor because he’s gone back to France for a couple of weeks to have treatment. You just don’t get professional players climbing trees.”

The 23-year-old only signed for the club in the summer but will be unable to take part in Oxford’s trip to Leamington this weekend, leaving Ford exasperated.

“It’s annoying because I wanted to have a choice with the keepers. Did I want to go with Victor, who is like an outfield player with gloves, or Mark [Scott]? Unfortunately now, I’ve got no alternative.”

Michael Butler

theguardian.com