Football medics head for Glasgow conference

TOP football doctors from around the UK are heading to Scotland to learn more about treating sporting injuries.

Club doctors from Chelsea, Aston Villa and Celtic are among the sports physicians bound for Glasgow University to attend the two-day symposium on sports surgery.

The event includes a special hands-on workshop as excitement builds towards the opening weekend of the World Cup in South Africa.

It is the only course of its kind in the UK.

Football club doctors from Portugal and medical staff from Glasgow Rugby are also due to attend the event.

Professor Gordon Mackay, Scotland's leading sports surgeon will conduct the workshop along with colleagues.

Prof Mackay said: "As World Cup 2010 begins we've already seen high profile casualties in several squads.

"The course focuses on the footballer's ankle, knee and shoulder. There will be practical demonstrations but also the chance for the visiting doctors to operate under our guidance."