Black Thursday: Three EFL stars’ seasons ended through injuries

(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)

By Jonny Leighfield

It was a dark day for three EFL players today as they were confirmed to have season-ending knee injuries.

Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore, Hull’s James Weir and Coventry City’s Jodi Jones were all confirmed to be having surgery on their respective knee problems and as a result have been ruled out for six months or more.

Watmore had already missed most of 2017 due to another knee injury suffered in December 2016 but had managed to feature regularly in Simon Grayson’s team before fate unfortunately intervened once more.

Speaking to safc.com, Chris Coleman said: “Life is frustrating sometimes as he’s desperate to play football and desperate to play for Sunderland.

“He’s worked so hard to get back, he’s such a bright player, so to lose a player like him was a big blow to everybody,” he said.

Weir picked up his knee injury while playing for The Tigers’ U23s last weekend and is expected to be out of action for at least six months.

The midfielder had made four senior appearances this season but Tigers’ Head Coach Leonid Slutsky confirmed the 22-year-old had undergone surgery today and will miss the rest of this campaign.

Meanwhile, one of Coventry City’s shining lights, Jodi Jones was confirmed to have ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in Tuesday’s game against Stevenage.

Jones is set to undergo surgery in the coming weeks and Manager Mark Robins spoke to The Sky Blues’ website about the youngster: “It’s a blow for him as a young player as he has is a talented boy who is becoming a growing influence and someone who is great to work with, so it’s a setback for him in his young career.

“It’s going to be difficult for him to come to terms with the injury and the surgery which will follow and then how long he will be out and the rehabilitation that comes with it.

“But, he will come back stronger with the help of the medical team and the support of everyone at the club.”