Will Smallbone will miss the rest of the season after picking up an injury in the defeat at Leicester City on Saturday evening, a major blow for both the club and the player just as it looked like he might get a run in the side.

Will Smallbone will miss the rest of the season and possibly the start of 2021/22 after picking up an injury at Leicester, that has now been confirmed as his anterior cruciate ligament by Saints, who see another member of the squad ruled out by injury.

Smallbone impressed in the restart last season and ended the campaign with 9 Premier League appearances after making his full debut for the club in the FA Cup 3rd round against Huddersfield when he scored the opening goal.

This season after starting against Crystal Palace on the opening day and coming on as a sub in the second game of the season he had struggled to get into the side due to the good form of others and the Leicester game was his opportunity to shine.

He appeared to be taking that opportunity with both hands until an innocuous challenge saw him go down in agony and although he tried to stay on he was forced off.

Ralph Hasenhuttl had this to say:

“We have another big injury with Will Smallbone. It’s the worst for him and for us, an ACL injury, so half a year out, maybe,”

“It’s horrible for the young lad and for us. In the moment with injuries it is definitely not our best run, but there are some circumstances in this strange season that leads to a lot of problems with a topic that we didn’t have for the whole of last season.”

Photo: Action Images

wibbersda added 14:52 - Jan 18 For Fooks Sake!
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underweststand added 14:53 - Jan 18 Really tough luck on Will. He has been there or thereabouts in the first team squad for a while since his debut in last season's FA Cup 3rd round. Looks to be a very useful talent, and we can hope that he will recover in good time and be ready for NEXT season.
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felly1 added 14:57 - Jan 18 Gutted for the lad. Out of our academy he has looked the most promising and capable of establishing himself in the team.
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SanMarco added 09:29 - Jan 19 Great shame - those innocuous looking things are so often the worst. The fact he was playing so well just makes the misfortune feel worse.
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perazi added 09:36 - Jan 19 Shocking luck for the youngster. I doubted him, but his performance against Leicester until injured, won me over - he was very impressive. Have a good rehabilitation Will, you are definitely a key player in Saint's future.
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Peterx added 12:48 - Jan 19 Was highly impressive before the injury
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