TNT Sports pundit forced to pull out of Premier League duties creating unwanted history

TNT SPORTS pundit Peter Crouch created unwanted history after pulling out of media duties.

Last Saturday, the former England striker was set to be a part of the coverage as Chelsea beat West Ham 3-0.

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But Crouch was absent from screens due to a back injury.

TNT Sports were forced into a last minute reshuffle, with Jules Breach, Joe Cole, Lynsey Hipgrave, Lucy Ward and Darren Fletcher made to do extra pre-match interviews and analysis.

Crouch told his : "I pulled out of West Ham vs Chelsea injured.

"It is the back, I basically went to spasm on Thursday and I thought it would just go.

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"But moved into Friday and it was much worse.

"I woke up on Saturday morning and I could not move - just lying flat on the floor - could not move.

"Fair play to Joe Cole, Jules, Lynsey, Lucy, Fletch and everyone involved, they ended up covering it quite well I thought.

"I realised they actually do not need me."

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Podcast co-host Chris Stark joked: "You are the first ever pundit to miss a game through injury."

Crouch was not involved in coverage of today's TNT Sports game as Manchester City face Newcastle - yet his appearance was planned as Joleon Lescott stepped in.