Source: Team_Talk
Achilles lay-off blow for Senderos
Fulham defender Philippe Senderos is expected to be out of action for around six months due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.[LNB] The Swiss Football Association confirmed the extent of the damage on Wednesday after the former Arsenal player was injured during a training session in London on Tuesday.[LNB]Senderos had been named in Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld's squad for tonight's friendly against Austria but withdrew due to a toe injury and had reportedly been training alone when the Achilles injury struck.[LNB]"It's incredible bad luck for Philippe. A hard blow to him personally, for the club, but also for the Swiss national team," said Hitzfeld.[LNB]Senderos is due to undergo surgery in Finland, where he will be treated by the same specialist who oversaw David Beckham's Achilles operation in March.[LNB]If his rehabilitation runs to plan, the 25-year-old will return to action in time for the latter stages of Fulham's upcoming Premier League campaign.[LNB]Senderos only joined the Cottagers in June but today's news could force new Fulham boss Mark Hughes into the transfer market for a replacement.[LNB]Brede Hangeland, who is also reportedly a target for Arsenal, and Aaron Hughes are the only other recognised centre-halves at the club after Chris Smalling left for Manchester United earlier this summer.[LNB]Hughes, who has so far has not signed anyone ahead of Saturday's curtain-raiser against Bolton, has been linked with a move for Benfica defender Rafik Halliche.[LNB]The injury is also a major setback for the Swiss, with Hitzfeld admitting Senderos had been central to his plans for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.[LNB]"Senderos had played an important role in my arrangements for the launch of the European Championship qualification matches," he added on www.football.ch.[LNB]"He is a leader, on and off the pitch."
