19/07/2007 16:30
New signing Julien Faubert is expected to be sidelined for around six months
after a scan confirmed that he has ruptured his Achilles tendon. The
23-year-old French midfielder suffered the freak injury during Tuesday
night's pre-season friendly match against Sigma Olomouc in Austria, and has
now flown back to France to undergo surgery. Head Physiotherapist George
Cooper says: "The injury was completely out of the blue. Julien has no
history of any Achilles problems, and this kind of rupture is usually
pre-disposed by past steroid injections in the area - something he has never
had - so it is a major shock.
"On the plus side, we have managed to get him to a top surgeon in
Strasbourg, who has successfully operated on the likes of Zinedine Zidane
and Lilian Thuram in the past, so he is in very good hands. Two to three
days is the key time for this injury and everything will be done and in
place for Julien within that period. "We expect him to be out of action for
around six months but we will not be putting any definitive date on his
return - he will come back only when he is completely ready. "I have to say,
Julien's attitude and reaction to the injury has been first class. He was
already planning his rehabilitation in the taxi on the way to the hospital,
and we will be working with him every step of the way to ensure he returns
to full fitness as soon as possible."
Manager Alan Curbishley adds: "It's a devastating blow for everyone,
especially Julien. He had fitted in so well and was showing all the
attributes needed to be a success in the Premiership. "You could see in the
short bit of football he has played with us that he was going to be a big
hit with the supporters - he is strong, fast, gets up and down, and
understands the game - so to lose him after an hour of football and just two
weeks at the Club is a big disappointment.
"We wish Julien a speedy recovery and, having got to know the boy over the
past week or so, I am certain that he will respond to this set-back in the
right way. Hopefully we will see him back in action around Christmas time,
but the main thing is that he follows his rehabilitation programme and only
returns when he is 100% ready."
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