West Ham United
Premier League • England
Angelo Ogbonna fears confirmed as West Ham star suffers ACL injury
West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna will spend an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Sunday’s win over Liverpool.
The centre-back was substituted after 22 minutes of the the 3-1 win after getting his boot caught in the turf. Ogbonna was chasing back to defend against Mo Salah when he appeared he pull up. He received treatment, but carried on. But just minutes later he sustained a cut above his eye following a collision with Diogo Jota and eventually left the field.
The 33-year-old went for a scan on Monday and the damage to his right knee was discovered. He has already started his recovery programme at Rush Green.
Head of Medical Richard Collinge told the club’s website: “After being substituted following a separate incident that led to him suffering a cut above his eye, Angelo felt some discomfort in his right knee so we scanned him to ascertain the extent of the injury.
“That scan has shown up some damage to the anterior cruciate ligament and we have begun his rehabilitation immediately. Angelo will see another specialist this week and we will then have a clearer picture around his timeline of recovery.”
His absence will be a blow to the third-placed Hammers. Ogbonna has started every league game this season, and is one of the key factors in the Hammers’ success.
Ogbonna deal talk
A report from Calciomercato stated that the Italian is “close to renewing” his deal with the Hammers.
Ogbonna is out of contract in June 2022. It now remains to be seen whether the club will press ahead with a renewal.
Regarding Ogbonna’s recovery time, injuries of this type can vary. Obgonna though could miss the remainder of the campaign.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk missed the rest of the 2020-21 season when injuring his ACL last October. The Dutch defender and was back playing nine months later.
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