Watford defender Joel Ekstrand is expected to miss up to nine months of action after sustaining a cruciate ligament injury in the weekend’s loss to Ipswich Town.
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The Swedish international was stretchered off in the first half after a clash with Ipswich full-back Tyrone Mings.
Today, Watford’s chief physio Richard Collinge told the Watford Observer that the defender will need surgery:
“He caught his studs in the turf and has damaged his cruciate ligament in his left knee,” he said.
“He’ll have surgery in a week or so’s time, then it is rehab after that. The feeling for this type of injury is around the nine months mark to get back.”
It means the player will be able to take no part in Watford’s promotion push; the Hornets are currently second with 72 points, just one behind leaders Bournemouth but six clear on seventh place Brentford.