Juventus are facing growing injury problems at the start of the new season. Kenan Yildiz underwent successful surgery today, Jeff Ekhator has suffered another muscle injury, while Andrea Cambiaso and Weston McKennie are trying to recover in time for the big clash with AC Milan.
YILDIZ UNDERGOES SURGERY – LONG LAY-OFF AHEAD
Kenan Yildiz underwent successful surgery on Monday 31 August for a fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. The operation was carried out at the Hessingpark Clinic in Augsburg by Dr Martin Jordan, in the presence of Juventus club doctor Dr Marco Freschi. Juventus announced that the operation was a complete success and that Yildiz will begin his rehabilitation programme as early as Tuesday. The club did not specify an exact recovery period in its official statement. However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Spalletti is expected to be without his number 10 for around two and a half months, possibly three. That would mean Juventus having to play a significant part of the autumn schedule without one of their most important players.
EKHATOR INJURED AGAIN
Jeff Ekhator has suffered another major setback. The young striker felt a problem in his right thigh during Juventus' Sunday training session at Continassa and had to stop working. Scans carried out on Monday at the J|Medical centre revealed a medium-grade injury to the semitendinosus muscle of his right thigh.
Juventus confirmed that Ekhator will undergo further tests in two weeks, after which it will be possible to determine more precisely how long his full recovery will take. That does not mean, however, that Ekhator will be back on the pitch in two weeks. At that point the doctors will reassess the injured muscle and set out the next phase of his rehabilitation. What is particularly worrying is that this is Ekhator's second muscle problem of the summer. He was also injured during the friendly against Basel on 18 July, which meant he effectively missed the rest of pre-season. No sooner had he returned and taken his place on the bench against Parma than a new problem arose.
CAMBIASO AVOIDS SERIOUS INJURY
The situation with Andrea Cambiaso is considerably better. The Italy international hurt his right ankle against Parma. He came on late in the match but had to leave the pitch only about ten minutes later. Tests and an MRI scan brought good news: the ligaments are not damaged. It is an ankle sprain, so no lengthy absence is currently expected. His condition will be monitored day by day, and Cambiaso will try to recover in time for the big clash with AC Milan. For now, though, his participation against the Rossoneri remains a serious doubt.
MCKENNIE RACING TO BE FIT FOR MILAN
Weston McKennie did not feature against Parma because of muscle fatigue.
Luciano Spalletti confirmed before the match that the American would not be available for precisely that reason. So far there is no confirmation of any more serious muscle lesion for McKennie, which is certainly positive news. According to the latest reports from Italy, McKennie will try to recover for the next match against AC Milan, but his involvement is not certain at the moment. Juventus will not want to risk aggravating the problem, so his condition will be closely monitored over the coming days.
Sources: Juventus.com, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tuttosport
