Injection therapy to muscle injuries in professional football players

INTERVENTION: 3 x intra‐muscular injection of normal saline or Actovegin® with Traumeel® directly to the injury site, 1 ml injected 1 cm above the injury site and 1 ml injected to 1 cm below the injury site. Duration of treatment will be 1 week, duration of follow up will be determined by recovery time and when they are back playing with the first team. CONDITION: Grade 1 and Grade 2 muscle injury ; Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning ; Injury of muscle and tendon at lower leg level PRIMARY OUTCOME: Number of days from injury for the player to return to training with the first team SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Player's perception of pain and effectiveness of treatment; 2. Player's isokinetic and isometric data; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Informed consent 2. Aged greater than 18 years, male only 3. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis of muscle injuries 4. Grade 1 or 2 muscle tear 5. No previous allergic reaction to Actovegin®