Liverpool’s second home victory of the Premier League season on Saturday afternoon was overshadowed by a serious injury for Wigan midfielder Ben Watson.
The 27-year-old (pictured) who was the first Latics player based in England to score in 2012 recently, when he netted the winner at Tottenham, suffered a broken leg in the 3-0 loss on Merseyside at the weekend.
Although he didn’t need a stretcher following the unfortunate collision with Raheem Sterling, Watson had to be helped to the touchline and the break was confirmed following x-rays.
After spending two nights in hospital, he has returned home to Wigan in a cast, with plenty of well wishing for a speedy recovery.
The club did confirm on Monday though that surgery is not required and hope to have their solid midfielder back in full training after Christmas.
A scheduled playing date in the first-team hasn’t been confirmed, due to the nature of the injury.
Bad timing
Boss Roberto Martinez said on Monday: “It’s still a very serious injury and we need to ensure that Ben is given all the time that he needs to make a full recovery.
“The good news is that he won’t be out for as long as we initially thought and with the character that Ben has, he will be able to deal with such an injury.
“Ben has just started to put his stamp on the team and he will be missed in the group because of the type of lad he is.”
Watson has been used in a rotational policy on a regular basis since he moved to the DW Stadium from Crystal Palace in 2008.
However he had started the last three Premier League matches and was beginning to cement a place in the starting 11 on a regular basis.
This is bad timing and a cruel blow to a player who impressed many pundits with his hard-working and industrious performances in the middle of the park.
17-year-old Sterling was gutted when he heard the news and apologised to Watson on Twitter despite it being a 50/50 collision.
He tweeted: “To Ben Watson, I didn’t realise it was serious as that. I’ll be praying for a speedy recovery mate, have you in my prayers every day.”
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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