Pete Matthews is "not currently injured", the Lufbra Echo can exclusively reveal. The shocking news, leaked by LSAC sources late last night, will come as a major blow to the University's Sports Medicine department. Said one exasperated physio, "I just don't know what to think. Pete's a mainstay on the table and I have a mortgage to pay....it's a very worrying time." Matthews is believed to have attended weights yesterday evening for only the second time since Christmas and now faces the distinct possibility of several weeks' solid training. Our source said, "obviously it's too early to tell the extent of his recovery. We will monitor it closely, but it seems likely that he will do the session tonight [Tuesday]".
George Gandy, Loughborugh's infamous director, refused to comment on the news but is believed to have immediately placed a call to Alasdair Donaldson who is currently overseeing the Loughborough program whilst Gandy is in Doha. Matthews, who once represented Great Britain in a sport called mountain running, has had numerous injuries since his career highlight performance of winning a bronze medal at the AAAs U17 Indoor 1500m in 2006. A source close to the troubled star revealed that Matthews was "deeply concerned" at the prospect of a decent block of training. "With Seb [Foy, Matthews' housemate] on crutches, Pete's nose is right out of joint. With Portugal so close [LSAC's warm weather training camp] the timing of this comeback is bad. Fingers crossed it will work out and he'll be able to sun-bathe and miss training."
Loughborough athletes were coy on the potential of training alongside the red head. Stephen Emery, Loughborough's 4th best athlete, said "Pete seems to be injured a lot. I find it a bit suspicious to be honest, but if he is fit again I doubt he will be at a session for a while." Emery also denied any ambitions to become the LSAC Cross Country Captain next year, "no way, it's all media nonsense" said the Coventry star.
COMING UP: MOUNTAIN RUNNING: WHAT IS IT? and SHOULD MOUNTAIN RUNNING BE CLASSED AS A SPORT?