Don't rush Sterling back as you could get a Ryan Giggs situation claims ex-City star

Ex-Manchester City player Gary Owen has warned that if Raheem Sterling's recovery from a hamstring injury is rushed, there could be long-term consequences.

Raheem Sterling has been integral part of this City team under Pep Guardiola.

Some have criticised the winger for this contribution this season as City trail league leaders Liverpool by 22-points. However with 11 goals and 2 assists to his name in 23 league games and a further five strikes in the Champions League to go with his three assists, the Englishman has been in good form.

However against Tottenham, not only did Guardiola see his men come away with nothing, he also saw Sterling come off injured with a hamstring problem.

Speaking to the Final Whistle on Love Sport Radio, ex-Manchester City player Gary Owen spoke about the annoying nature of hamstring injuries.  

"A hamstring is minimum a month, minimum a month! Six weeks, delighted. 

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"But it can be anywhere between 8-12 weeks for a hamstring depending on the severity of it.

"Harry Kane had a bad hamstring injury and he won't be back until April. That's three months."

On how Raheem and the club should go about dealing with the injury, Owen stated time is needed to avoid ending up with a Ryan Giggs situation.

"What you need to do with hamstring injuries is to treat it and get it back.

"If you don't get them completely healed, that is always a weakness as Ryan Giggs found all the way through his career. He had a hamstring injury all the time found because they brought him back quickly. Then the hamstring tore again and tore again and it didn't repair as quickly. 

"We need to make sure with Raheem Sterling that when he comes back he is completely fit." 

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