Unpleasant news awaits Zhasmin Velichkov and Iliya Petkov even before the two Bulgarian internationals join Vero Volley Monza. The Italian team is left with only one healthy setter after the severe injury of the new addition to this position - American Andrew Rowan.
Rowan suffered a fracture of the thumb on his right hand during his participation with the US national team at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship. On Tuesday, September 22, the setter underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture in the USA, performed by hand surgery specialist Dr. Mark Hallikis.
Next week, Rowan will undergo another examination, after which he is expected to travel to Italy to continue his recovery. Monza announced that the American is expected to return to play only at the end of November.
Thus, for the start of the season, the only healthy setter in the squad remains the young Leonardo Bonacchi. The situation is particularly important for Velichkov and Petkov, who are due to join Monza's training on Monday after their commitments with the Bulgarian national team.
The club has already reacted to the problem. In the official announcement regarding Rowan's injury, Vero Volley specified that due to the nature of the injury and the prolonged recovery period, the management is considering the possibility of re-entering the transfer market.
For now, Monza has not announced a specific name for a potential new setter. This means that if no transfer is made in the coming weeks, Bonacchi will have to bear the main burden of the position at the start of the season while Rowan recovers.