Thigh tear sidelines Lauren
22 Feb 2007 - 07:09:52
Portsmouth defender Lauren could be sidelined for several weeks after sustaining a thigh injury in training.
The former Arsenal star picked up the problem crossing the ball for Kanu and is expected to miss the games against Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea.
The 30-year-old Cameroon international moved to Fratton Park last month after spending almost 12 months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
He has made five appearances for Pompey but recently lost his place in Harry Redknapp's starting line-up to Sean Davis.
Redknapp may be forced to play either Linvoy Primus or Dejan Stefanovic at right-back for the Premiership clash with Chelsea on March 3 as Glen Johnson is unable to play against his parent club under the conditions of his loan switch to Portsmouth.
"Lauren has picked up a thigh strain that doesn't look too good," Redknapp admitted. "He was crossing the ball, and it looks like he might have a tear. It's a big blow for all of us.
"We go into the Chelsea game a week after next with no Glen Johnson, and that would have been an ideal opportunity to get Lauren into his right position.
"But now we've got problems in defence with Linvoy still out after a thigh tear and Dejan building his fitness following knee surgery."