Damian Barton: Brendan Rogers needs time to get over facial injury ‘shock’

Damian Barton claims Derry midfielder Brendan Rogers needs time to get over the mental and physical scars from the “shocking” facial injury he suffered against Tyrone.

The Slaughtneil dual player was struck by Tyrone’s Tiernan McCann immediately after the throw-in at last week’s McKenna Cup final in the Athletic Grounds.

He was taken to hospital and received 14 stitches on a facial wound. Speaking for the first time since the incident, his manager insists he won’t be rushed back into a contact situation.

“I’m not sure (when Rogers will return), the last thing he needs is another crack in the facial area because it was quite horrific at the time,” revealed Barton.

“Even pyschologicially he’s got to work his way in through training and so on.

“I’d prefer not to say too much about it. People can make their own minds up on it, but it was shocking.”

Enda Lynn, Derry’s best player in the final which Tyrone won after extra time, suffered a broken ankle in the closing minutes — but should be back in time to face Tyrone in the Ulster championship on May 22.

“The positive thing with Enda is it’s a clean break which means he potentially will be back quicker,” explained Barton. “It depends what the medical staff say, but we’re not going to rush back any fella who’s had a serious injury.”

Barton was delighted with Derry’s strong second-half against Fermanagh on Sunday which saw them pick up an opening league win in Division 2. They’ll play Cavan in Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday night.

“No disrespect to Fermanagh, but Cavan are always a tough proposition in Breffni Park and this will be a bigger step up for us.”