Source: Team_Talk
Zamora set for long spell on sidelines
Fulham and England striker Bobby Zamora is facing at least a four-month lay-off after sustaining a broken ankle in the 2-1 victory over Wolves.[LNB] Zamora suffered the damage to his right leg during a hard challenge from Wolves skipper Karl Henry in Saturday's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage and received oxygen before being carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.[LNB]Fulham manager Mark Hughes revealed that he could be out for longer if surgery reveals further damage.[LNB]"If the injury is as we think it is, it's likely to be four months," he said.[LNB]"If the surgeon goes in tomorrow and finds other damage rather than just the break, which is four centimetres above his ankle, it will be even longer than that.[LNB]"The four months looks like a minimum."[LNB]Hughes remonstrated with referee Phil Dowd on the pitch after the half-time whistle had blown but later conceded Henry's tackle was not malicious.[LNB]"It's a shame but I don't really lay the blame on the player (Henry). It's one of those," said Hughes.[LNB]"There's always a danger if you get tackled from the side or from behind that players' legs can get trapped.[LNB]"I don't think there was any intent to hurt Bobby. You don't expect the circumstances of the injury to be the result of a challenge like that, but it can happen.[LNB]"At the time I was a little bit disappointed that the referee didn't view it as a foul, but there you go."[LNB]Zamora won his first England cap last month and only missed the recent Euro 2012 qualifiers because of a thigh problem, leading Hughes to lament the timing of the injury.[LNB]"Bobby had got to a point where he was playing at a high level and producing week-in, week-out," said Hughes.[LNB]"Bobby would be honest enough to admit he hasn't been able to maintain that level of performance over long periods during his career.[LNB]"But he's reached that point so to be taken out of top level football for four months is a real disappointment for him and us.[LNB]"I've spoken to him already and he seems to be in good spirits."
