Doncaster Rovers right-back Jamie Sterry battles on with golf ball-sized head injury before late substitution in FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace

Doncaster Rovers’ FA Cup clash against Crystal Palace had plenty of talking points, but one moment stood out—Jamie Sterry soldiering on with a massive lump on his head.

The right-back played nearly the entire match despite the concerning injury, only being substituted in the 80th minute.

A Battle at Eco-Power Stadium

The fourth-round match at Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium saw the League Two side take on Premier League opposition.

Despite a determined effort, Rovers couldn’t keep up with Palace, who secured a 2-0 victory with goals from Daniel Muñoz and Justin Devenny.

Sterry, a former Newcastle United defender, started the game and put in a solid shift, but as the match progressed, a noticeable swelling formed on his head.

By the time he was taken off, the lump had grown to the size of a golf ball.

Pushing Through the Pain

Despite the visible injury, Sterry remained in good spirits when manager Grant McCann subbed him off. Medical staff attended to him after he crossed the sideline, ensuring he received proper care.

His resilience was evident, but ultimately, Doncaster’s cup run ended against the Premier League side.

A Career Built on Hard Work

At 29, Sterry has had a long journey in English football. Best known for his time at Newcastle United, his boyhood club, he played for the Magpies from 2015 to 2019.

During that period, he had loan spells with Coventry City and Crewe Alexandra.

He was part of the Newcastle squad that earned Premier League promotion under Rafael Benítez in 2017, a highlight of his career.

Since then, Newcastle has progressed in the top tier, while Sterry has continued to find his place in lower leagues.

After a stint with Hartlepool United, he joined Doncaster Rovers on a free transfer in July 2023.

Palace Marches On

Crystal Palace, who made several changes to their lineup, secured the win comfortably.

Chelsea loanee Ben Chilwell made an appearance in the second half, marking his first game since October.

Next up, Oliver Glasner’s side will face Millwall in the fifth round after the south London club knocked out Leeds United.

While Doncaster bows out of the competition, Sterry’s determination on the pitch didn’t go unnoticed.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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