Cronk staying upbeat

Sports

SYDNEY: Sydney Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk has refused to rule out a miracle recovery from a shoulder injury in time for Sunday’s NRL grand final against his former club the Melbourne Storm.
Earlier this week Cronk described himself as a “long shot” to be fit for the match but said yesterday he was still in the running to take the field.
“I’m pretty diligent, pretty professional with what I do. I’ve gone up a thousand knots on that this week. We will see how it goes come Sunday,” Cronk said.
“I’ve got a fair bit of work to do, anything is possible.”
Storm coach Craig Bellamy said his team was preparing to face the star playmaker despite the injury that hampered Cronk for most of last week’s win over South Sydney.
“We are preparing as though he is [playing]. I know he will be doing everything plus, plus, plus to be ready for Sunday,” Bellamy said.
“The other thing I suppose is he’s a tough little rooster, pardon the pun. If anyone’s going to do it, it’s going to be Coops.”
Roosters mentor Trent Robinson was coy about his back-up plans should Cronk fail to take the field on Sunday night.
“We are pushing for Cooper to play, that’s where I am at the moment. I’ve got contingency plans there if he doesn’t but I won’t be sharing them,” he said. – NRL.com