Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Stephen Welsh will face at three or four months on the sidelines after picking up an injury at training. The Scottish central defender had signed a new deal until 2027 on Friday but unfortunately ended the day seeking medical attention following a knock.
Before kick-off against Kilmarnock, Rodgers was asked about Welsh and confirmed that he would be out for 3-4 months, around double the original timescale for recovery. The Irishman stated that at the end of the session on Friday, Welsh landed awkwardly which caused his ankle ligaments to rupture, meaning that he will now need surgery.
Rodgers appeared to give Welsh a huge indication of his belief in him by including him at the weekend then subbing him on in the second half. Welsh’s family were up at Aberdeen and the rumour was he’d be signing a new deal. This came into fruition and it appeared he’d be starting today against Killie.
Unfortunately, this injury has curtailed the opportunity for Welsh to stake a claim in the first team. Now, he will be out until around the winter break which means that the manager may require to consider keeping a defender or foraging into the transfer window.
Now, Rodgers has to decide whether to keep Liam Scales or Yuki Kobayashi to act as cover for Cameron Carter-Vickers along with Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki. The latter trip are the first picks at the club with Welsh appearing to be the fourth pick. Now, the manager will need to revisit this position and decide whether he can sanction departures for Scales or Kobayashi- especially if CCV is injured as well.
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