Injury News

Does Michu Require Ankle Surgery?

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Reports in Italy suggest that Swansea City striker Michu, on loan at Napoli, could require surgery on his troublesome ankle

Reports in Italy suggest that Swansea City striker Michu, on loan at Napoli, could require surgery on his troublesome ankle, as he continues to struggle for game time in Serie A.

The Spaniard has made just 6 appearances (3 of which were starts) in all competitions for Napoli and has yet to score a goal.

In fact, the 28 year-old hasn’t scored since October 2013, netting a goal in the 1-1 draw against Kuab in the Europa League. His last League goal came a month before that in the 2-0 away win at Crystal Palace.

Michu couldn’t live up to the hype from his debut season for the Swans in the Premier League when he scored 22 goals to help the club achieve their highest position in the top tier, as well as winning the League Cup and achieving qualification into the Europa League.

Last year, his troublesome ankle caused him problems though and scored only 6 goals, only two of which were in the League.

Following Michael Laudrup’s sacking in February, rumours soon started to circulate that Michu had played his final game for the Swans and wanted to leave the Liberty Stadium.

He hadn’t played his last game, he made another 5 appearances under Monk, but it was clear that he was nowhere near the player he was the previous season.

The attacker was no longer in Monk’s plans for the new campaign in 2014/15, and the club soon started to discuss a move with Napoli. They preferred to arrange a permanent move, but you can understand why Napoli insisted on a season-loan first to assess him and his injury.

He’s failed to make an impact, and Monk has no interest in recalling him back early from his temporary spell in Italy, for more reasons than one it seems.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Napoli medics fear that they will have to operate on Michu’s right ankle to resolve the problem. Normal physiotherapy and treatment have so far failed to improve his condition.

After a disappointing defeat at arch rivals Cardiff City in November 2013, Michu was out of action for a month. He briefly returned in December but spent another 3 months on the sidelines after having surgery on his ankle.

It looks like Michu’s ankles are continuing to hold up his career. His injury problems have been compared to those of former midfielder Ferrie Bodde, who was forced into early retirement after failing to recover from a knee ligament injury.

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