Marco Silva revealed in his Friday press conference that Reiss Nelson could be out for the remainder of the season.
In a cruel twist, as the on-loan winger closed in on a return to First Team action, he suffered another hamstring injury in his other leg, an issue that required surgery last week.
“It's a really tough moment for us,” Silva said. “Of course, first of all, for the player, we feel really sorry for him, because he worked really hard to be back after the first hamstring injury.
“It was a moment that we all were excited about him coming back, because he was really important for us before the injury last December. He did so, so well, and we know that in his best level he is capable to help us to win football matches and to be stronger.
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“Himself, us, all of us were excited about him, and when he was really ready to be in contention again for the game, he felt the other hamstring in the other leg. Not the same injury, completely different injury in the other leg.
“He got surgery there, and could be out until the end of the season. I don't want to give a timescale that is 100% sure, but it could be out until the end of the season, unfortunately for him, and for us.
“It's a big blow for us, definitely. He was really unlucky with these two injures in a short period of time, and long-term injures, unfortunately for him.
“When he was ready and was there, you can feel his quality, and you can see that he's a player that fits really well, understood well what we need from him.
“Very good guy, good lad, and another one that makes our dressing room be at the level that I like to see, and the environment and the friendship that’s inside.”