Jamaal Lascelles has confirmed he has suffered a stress fracture in his foot – and injury that looks set to keep him sidelined for up to EIGHT weeks.
The skipper insists that he’ll do all he can to be back for our final two games of the season against Sheffield United and Fulham ‘if needed’, however it seems highly likely that he is forced to sit out the remainder of 2020/21.
He claims that such an injury would see him wear a protective boot for four weeks, followed by another four week period (without the boot) until he is allowed to return to training.
If this recovery time is something he’s forced to abide by, there’s no chance he’ll be fit for the final two games of the season – even if we need him – with the potential eight week absence leaving him out until early June (our last game of the season is May 23rd).
Here’s what a ‘devastated’ but defiant Lascelles has had to say on the injury blow:
“I was devastated.
“When the doctor told me I didn’t think it would be anything like this.
“I thought it was just a bit of foot pain and it would ease off, just resting it.
“When he rang me and told me it was a stress fracture it was probably the worst news I could have had.
“It is a huge time for us with the position we are in with being the captain.
“I wanted us to get points on the board, get us safe and be a part of that.”
“The rule for these type of injuries is four weeks in a boot and four weeks until you are back on grass.
“But because of the position we are in I said to the medical staff: ‘I’m not ruling out Sheff United or Fulham’ – If needed obviously.
“Hopefully we are in a position where we are safe and I’m not needed but I want to do everything I can to make sure I can have that option and be available for that if needed.”
Who knows, he may recover quicker than expected and be in with a slim chance of making the final week of the season, however it would be be beneficial to both him and our own blood pressure if we can secure our Premier League status by then!
Hopefully we can pick up another result against West Ham this weekend and increase the six-point gap that currently exists between ourselves and Fulham – who travel to Arsenal on Sunday.
Get well soon, skipper!
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