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Bolton
Wanderers suffered a defensive setback last night as Sam Ricketts was
stretchered off in the second half against Wigan. Today, it has been confirmed
that the former-Hull City right-back will be out for the rest of the season.
Ricketts
will have an operation later on today after going to the ground as he went to
challenge Wigan midfielder Victor Moses. The Wales international full-back is
not expected to return for six months.
With
five months of the season left, and with the news that centre-back Zat Knight
will be out for six weeks with a knee injury, the injury comes as a big blow to
Bolton, who currently lie 8th in the Premier League table.
Speaking
to Bolton’s official website, Bolton manager Owen Coyle confirmed: "The
likelihood is that he will be missing for about six months, which is a big
blow for Sam first and foremost. He has been outstanding for us and our
immediate thoughts go to him as we wish for a speedy recovery.
Coyle, though, refused to blame the state of the Wigan pitch, stating: "It was very innocuous in terms that he sustained the injury by tracking the winger. He has put his foot down and stumbled so it is very unfortunate. With the speed that the game is now played then these type of injuries can occur. Sam will get all the help from the club that he requires, but we will now have to get on with everything.”
Coyle, though, refused to blame the state of the Wigan pitch, stating: "It was very innocuous in terms that he sustained the injury by tracking the winger. He has put his foot down and stumbled so it is very unfortunate. With the speed that the game is now played then these type of injuries can occur. Sam will get all the help from the club that he requires, but we will now have to get on with everything.”
Bolton
face Fulham in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday and Coyle was quick to
reassure fans that Ricketts’ injury would not destabilise the team. Ricketts
has started nineteen games for Bolton this season but Coyle is adamant that The
Trotters will have a side out on Saturday that is capable of beating Fulham:
“As always, we will look to adjust and put a team out that is capable of
winning games when we travel to Craven Cottage."
This article
originally appeared on sports website Sports Haze but is now unavailable due to
the site closing down.
Picture from Ben Sutherland
