Flyers C Briere slow to improve

Nov 15, 2008 - 4:32 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Philadelphia Flyers center Daniel Briere said Friday that his injured groin is not healing as quickly as he hoped, but he still hopes to return within the week.

Briere suffered the injury in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders and was scratched for Thursday's contest against the cross-state rival Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 31-year-old told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Friday that he still is bothered by the problem, but hopes to return for Friday's game against Buffalo.

Briere, who has notched five goals and four assists in eight contests this season, has stressed that the injury is not related to a previous problem in same area.

That injury sidelined him for six games prior to his return against the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 8.