Posh will not risk Garbett with World Cup in mind
Matty Garbett has also played in Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands during his career
- Published
Peterborough United will not take risks over midfielder Matty Garbett's recovery from a foot injury to avoid jeopardising his chances of playing at the World Cup.
The New Zealand international missed Saturday's 6-1 demolition of Wigan Athletic which put Posh 10th in League One, having been bottom of the table when boss Luke Williams took over in October.
"He needs protection and constant monitoring because it's a very minor injury that can suggest a more serious injury - if you manage the minor one, you prevent the major one," Williams told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire., external
"He's a very important player, he's got a huge role to play in the team going forward and there's a chance the boy is going to play at the World Cup and we have to help him be in the best possible shape.
"We have to try to make sure we protect him and don't put him at a huge risk that is unnecessary and irresponsible."
Williams said it was not possible to say at this stage when Garbett, 23, might be able to return to action.
"I'm very confident we'll be able to manage him successfully to a swifter return," he added. "How swift that return is, is more like a piece of string but we've managed to prevent something that could have certainly been more serious."
Garbett signed a two-year deal with Peterborough last summer after being released by Dutch club NAC Breda, and he has made 26 appearances this season.
He also played in international friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador in November as New Zealand prepare for this summer's World Cup in North America - their first appearance in the tournament since 2010.
Peterborough, meanwhile, are away to Mansfield Town on Tuesday evening.
