All Whites striker Shane Smeltz will visit the plastic surgeon for the second time in the last 12 months after having his forehead split open in Friday night's World Cup qualifier against New Caledonia in Dunedin.
The Perth Glory front man went under the knife after splitting his face open in last season's A-League final and will be back in the doctor's chair tomorrow following a horror challenge from New Caledonian defender Joel Wakanumune.
In Smeltz's column for the Sydney Telegraph today, he said he is now carrying 15 stitches in his head and his most recent injury was "more bloody and more painful'' than last year's.
The decision of Australian referee Strebre Delovski to not allow a penalty for the challenge in the final minutes of the match was a controversial one, and replays showed it was a late, high, dangerous tackle which prevented Smeltz from a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
"The shock at Delovski's decision not to award a penalty or a red card for the terrible challenge has been widespread, so I won't use my column to rant and rave,'' Smeltz said.
