David Busst - Coventry City v Manchester United - April 8 1996 - Old Trafford
Just two minutes into Coventry City's game against Manchester United, David Busst sustained the injury that would end his playing career.
Baring down on goal, Busst was sandwiched between the challenges of both Denis Irwin and Brian McClair and suffered a double compound fracture that pierced the skin.
The match was delayed for 15 minutes while blood was swept from the pitch and several players who witnessed the incident, including Peter Schmeichel, were reported to have sought counselling.
Facing the prospect of amputation, Busst had the further misfortune of contracting MRSA while undergoing extensive treatment and required 26 operations to save his leg.
Eduardo da Silva - Arsenal v Birmingham City - September 23 2008 - St Andrews
Arsenal's classy Brazilian striker suffered a broken fibula and open dislocation of the ankle after being on the receiving end of a particularly clumsy tackle from Martin Taylor.
In the immediate aftermath of the game, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger called for the Birmingham defender to be banned from ever playing again before later retracting his statement.
Eduardo claims to have no recollection of the incident or a hospital visit from Taylor and was sidelined for just under a year.
Upon his eagerly anticipated return to action, Eduardo suffered more injury heartache after pulling his hamstring in an FA Cup game against Cardiff City.
Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal v Stoke City - February 27 2010 - Britannia Stadium
Almost two years to the day of former team mate Eduardo's horrific injury, Aaron Ramsey suffered a similar fate at Stoke City's Britannia stadium.
A double fracture of the tibia and fibula was the result of a robust challenge from Potter's captain Ryan Shawcross who was duly given his marching orders and was reported to have wept upon the discovery of the extent of the Welshman's injuries.
Ramsey's rehabilitation is currently ongoing with Arsene Wenger hinting at a possible November return to action.
Alan Smith - Manchester United v Liverpool - February 18 2006 - Old Trafford
As John Arne Riise let fly with a fiercesome free-kick arrowed towards the United goal, Alan Smith did what Alan Smith does and threw himself in the path of the ball.
The former Leeds midfielder paid a heavy price for a typically selfless display of commitment to the cause, suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle which United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described as: "One of the worst I’ve seen".
To add insult to injury, a group of unruly Liverpool fans mindlessly attacked the ambulance as it escorted Smith from Old Trafford.
In a heartfelt tribute to their crestfallen team-mate, the United players celebrated their 4-0 Carling Cup win over Wigan kitted out in T-shirts emblazoned with: "For you Smudge" (Smith's nickname.)
Djibril Cisse - Liverpool v Blackburn - October 30 2004 - Ewood Park
An innocuous collision with Blackburn defender Jay McEveley left Djibril Cisse writhing in agony with a broken tibia and fibula.
The eccentric French striker claims that he would have faced the possibility of an amputation but for the immediate on-pitch treatment from the club physios.Cisse made a relatively rapid recovery from the injury and was back in action in Liverpool red in April of 2005.
But, in an unfortunate twist there was to be yet more agony for the former Sunderland man when he suffered another break in France's pre-World Cup warm up game against Japan in 2006.
Source: DSG
