Premier League - Neville faces 'lengthy lay-off'

Eurosport - Mon, 14 Sep 22:21:00 2009

Everton captain Philip Neville "faces a lengthy lay-off" after a scan showed a knee ligament injury.

FOOTBALL Everton's Phil Neville on the floor after picking up an injury in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham. - 0

Neville, 32, was carried off after he slid in for a challenge with Dickson Etuhu during the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Fulham.

Fears that he was seriously injured subsided when the club said he only suffered a gash, but initial worries have now been confirmed.

"An MRI scan on Monday morning has confirmed our fears and it has revealed that Phil has damaged ligaments at the back of his knee," head physiotherapist Mick Rathbone told the Toffees' website.

"He will now rest it for 48 hours to allow the swelling to go down and he will then see a specialist in London before a decision is made on how best to manage the injury.

"It's too early to estimate length of absence but I fear he is certainly facing a lengthy lay-off."

Everton boss David Moyes said after the game that, while he felt there was no malice in the challenge, it should have been penalised with a free-kick and possibly a yellow card.

Replays showed Etuhu and Neville lunged to meet a loose ball, with the Fulham midfielder getting there first but catching the former Manchester United player with the follow-through.

The injury gives Moyes a right-back selection headache ahead of the Europa League clash with AEK Athens on Thursday, as Tony Hibbert and John Heitinga are suspended and ineligible respectively.

Reda Maher / Eurosport

Comment 36 - 55 of 55

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. ugly sh`it dirty blue ex manc, is there any lower form­ of scum other than michael owen? hope his career is­ over, an the blue sh`ite go down

    From foyice3, on Wed 16 Sep 1:47AM

  2. idiots giving a hard working well respected player with­ no bad history against him abuse u sad lot, if thats­ the game we play then i hope gerrards back packs up­ soon, torres has yet another hernia, terrys knees pack­ up,cechs head swells again, vidics knee falls apart­ pretty sad aint it but thats all you lot have been­ saying leave the geniune footballers alone and respect­ them for what they are!

    From gerbil009, on Tue 15 Sep 4:37PM

  3. How old is the fat spanish waiter?, if Phil looks older­ than 32, the fat spanish waiter must be in his 100`s.­ COYB

    From Fred, on Tue 15 Sep 3:54PM

  4. maybe he should go to a plastic surgeon, get himself a­ half decent face, and bring his brother with him, the­ pair of ugly bastids!!

    From asanshe, on Tue 15 Sep 10:02AM

  5. he's gonna be a coach soon..

    From Ben, on Tue 15 Sep 6:24AM

  6. Am so sorry phil for wht happen.

    From tony f, on Tue 15 Sep 1:16AM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Thank god! Neville should never have been captain. He­ isn't good enough for the reserves in my opinion...

    From j.lindsay23, on Mon 14 Sep 10:03PM

  8. He's only 32!!!!!!!!!! Jesus.

    From c.zdave, on Mon 14 Sep 9:59PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    its a pity. i hoped he'd break is weak, boring­ pathetic neck.

    From Jon T, on Mon 14 Sep 9:35PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    SHOULD HAVE BEEN HIS SISTER ...GARY!!!!!!

    From TEVEZ, on Mon 14 Sep 9:29PM

  11. it's a pity so sorry i reckon YOBO will be a great­ captain

    From kola, on Mon 14 Sep 9:26PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    visit africaplays.come for more on african football.

    From Second S, on Mon 14 Sep 9:17PM

  13. why nevile im a sunderland fan but why him

    From l.robinson878, on Mon 14 Sep 8:56PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WHEN HE IS PLAYING AND­ NOW HE IS INJURED?
    HE CAN'T JUST PLAY. HE CAN'T­ HOLD THE BALL FOR A SECOND. JUST KICKING THE BALL HERE­ AND THERE ON THE AIR.

    From ambrose o, on Mon 14 Sep 8:53PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    as being a everton season ticket holder for over 20­ years i got one thing to say....... YES!!!

    From jonny cockles, on Mon 14 Sep 8:42PM

  16. Neville is a true leader and will be sorely missed by­ the blues!

    From markcole10, on Mon 14 Sep 8:27PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    pity it wasnt his brother

    From anthony, on Mon 14 Sep 8:13PM

  18. steptoe covered in nutella.

    From al.megrahi, on Mon 14 Sep 8:11PM

  19. Donney looks like steptoe.

    From al.megrahi, on Mon 14 Sep 8:10PM

  20. I watched the match and the replays and the tackle was­ 50/50, with Etuhu getting the ball first and­ unfortunately in this instance there was an injury. For­ Moyles to say it should have been a yellow card or at­ most a free kick, he was obviously watching something­ else, plus dont you think the other player might feel­ very sorry that Neville has been injured, considering­ Everton said "It is only a gash!". All the­ same I wish Philip a speedy recovery.

    From Elaine A, on Mon 14 Sep 7:53PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account