Baines out for three months

Lyndon Lloyd , 13 August, 40comments | Jump to most recent

Leighton Baines has undergone surgery again on his injured ankle and faces 12-14 weeks on the sidelines, the club have announced.

The England international first had an operation in May in an attempt to rectify a long-standing complaint but while he returned to action in pre-season, he broke down in training last week, just two days before the start of the new Premier League campaign.

The predicted timeline of his rehabilitation would put him out of action until the second half of November at the earliest.

Reader Comments (40)

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Ian McDowell
1 Posted 13/08/2015 at 22:37:23

Gutted just been confirmed. Will be a really big miss. However hands the opportunity to Oviedo.

Bobby Thomas
2 Posted 13/08/2015 at 22:46:24

We are an injury to Jagielka away from being in deep shit.

He needs a center half in asap. They are going to gave to get bedded in as well. And with Robertos level of "organisation" thats a terrifying thought.

Colin Glassar
4 Posted 13/08/2015 at 22:57:25

Sad for Bainsey but we have to trust the likes of Oviedo and Galloway to step in. This might just make us a bit more diligent in getting a left sided CB in pronto.

Ross Edwards
5 Posted 13/08/2015 at 22:58:42

Massive blow.

Neil Lawson
6 Posted 13/08/2015 at 22:59:35

The latest gossip is around Buttner. Surely to goodness Garbutt can be recalled. He hardly put a foot wrong whilst deputising last season. Give him an extended run and let him show just how good he is.

And whilst we are talking about the youngsters, Moyes lauded McAleny, as has Martinez. Never mind Charlie Austin et al.... give him a proper opportunity.

And buy an experienced centre back quickly.

Christy Ring
7 Posted 13/08/2015 at 23:14:01

He had an operation in May to rectify the problem, someone didn't do a very good job??

Patrick Murphy
8 Posted 13/08/2015 at 23:18:45

Christy when Leighton played in pre-season he looked fully fit and raring to go and according to Roberto it was a block tackle that was made in training which hit exactly the area that had been repaired that caused the damage, just one of those things and although that seems unlikely, it does sometimes happen. I hope he returns fully fit but fear that he may be out until the New Year.

Eddie Dunn
11 Posted 13/08/2015 at 23:36:23

Damn!

Jamie Crowley
12 Posted 13/08/2015 at 23:36:23

Can Garbutt be recalled? Think he's a much better option than Galloway at RB.

Dave Cook
13 Posted 13/08/2015 at 23:44:10

Not much use if he could be for another month or so, as he's injured too.

Chris Wilson
14 Posted 13/08/2015 at 23:45:08

Garbutt is also out for another month at least with...ankle ligament damage while training at Fulham. Don't know if there was a recall option though.

Mike Gaynes
15 Posted 14/08/2015 at 00:05:24

Devastating.

But remember, when it happened a year and a half ago, Oviedo stepped in and was brilliant.

Have faith.

Paul Kelly
16 Posted 14/08/2015 at 00:25:13

Yes Mike, Oviedo done well, so we'll in fact I thought it a mistake to drop him once Baines was fit.

I thought Oviedo outshone Baines over those few games but was dropped the second Baines was half fit, reminded me a bit of the Heitinga/Jageilka situation with OFM.

Peter Gorman
17 Posted 14/08/2015 at 00:42:39

But is Oviedo the same player after his own injury horror?

Peter Gorman
18 Posted 14/08/2015 at 00:46:42

Jamie - we can probably recall Garbutt but not sure what that would achieve. He is injured for 5 or 6 weeks due to damaged ligaments in his.....ankle!

Harold Matthews
19 Posted 14/08/2015 at 00:54:06

Big blow but we'll just have to cope. Love Oviedo but we'll probably go with the fitter Galloway.

Mark Andersson
20 Posted 14/08/2015 at 01:16:35

It's going to be a long season. Oh and just a thought, it was not that long ago where all the big guns and everyone one else dreaded coming to Goodison park.

Now we all have squeaky bum time for every match. Born a blue will die disappointed. Good luck, Baines lad.

Michael Winstanley
21 Posted 14/08/2015 at 02:22:24

Gutted to lose Baines, I thought he looked sharp pre-season but it hands an opportunity to Oviedo or Galloway.

I'd like to think we'd start with experience over youth away against Southampton.

Kieran Fitzgerald
22 Posted 14/08/2015 at 06:38:52

It's situations like this where young players really have to grab their chance. If Galloway does get the nod over Oveido, I genuinely hope he makes he most out of it.

Anthony Flack
23 Posted 14/08/2015 at 07:08:32

How about a cheeky bid for Lescott, he can play left back and provide cover.

Galloway did fine defending and should be a focus for development, he looks less confident breaking down the line...

Sam Hoare
24 Posted 14/08/2015 at 07:18:14

Expect to see Barry get some playing time at LB too.

Shane Corcoran
25 Posted 14/08/2015 at 09:42:08

No real issue with Barry, Oviedo and Galloway able to cover.

Obviously it's a blow due to his quality but, as someone else said, had it been Jagielka it would be much worse.

Kieran Fitzgerald
26 Posted 14/08/2015 at 09:54:56

Sam, Barry at left back might do us a big favour. Him moving to LB last week changed our shape in part for the better. It would mean Martinez having to be less cautious with the defensive screening.

Anthony, how much game time has Lescott being getting? I haven't been following him much since he left us and don't know if his dodgy knee and general wear and tear have caught up with him. If he was fit he wouldn't cost too much and as back up/cover he would be very experienced.

While we're mentioning West Brom and ex-players I read somewhere yesterday that they have put 27 year old Victor Anichebe up for sale. Didn't think he was that old for a start and he is starting to have the feel of a player who has wasted his talent.

Kieran Fitzgerald
27 Posted 14/08/2015 at 09:54:56

Sam, Barry at left back might do us a big favour. Him moving to LB last week changed our shape in part for the better. It would mean Martinez having to be less cautious with the defensive screening.

While we're mentioning West Brom and ex-players I read somewhere yesterday that they have put 27-year-old Victor Anichebe up for sale. Didn't think he was that old for a start and he is starting to have the feel of a player who has wasted his talent.

Karl Parsons
28 Posted 14/08/2015 at 10:03:28

What bothers me (apart from the massive loss of our best supplier of goals) is this news broke last Thursday on Twitter. Nothing was said anywhere until Bainsy didn't show up for the game.

How come someone on Twitter knew, but the chuffing Manager didn't? Why didn't he just say on Saturday the lad will be out for 12 weeks? Why is the club paying lip service to the fans? Are they shitting a revolt and are scared to mention something bad?

The Club's current ad campaign promoting the headline "NO EXPLANATION" is fucking spot on. WE never fucking get any!

Absolute joke our club beloved club is.

Jim Bennings
31 Posted 14/08/2015 at 11:21:22

Galloway doesn't really look madly comfortable at left back, don't get me wrong he's looked strong in the tackle and fairly game but going forward he hasn't looked mobile enough to be a useful attacking threat, which for any left or right fullback now is very important.

There is also a concern that in so many big games against teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham on the horizon that he could be swamped due to a lack of experience, these sides will play on the fact our left side looks weak.

Of course there's Oviedo but he himself has hardly played for 18 months and his lack of fitness and game time may begin to show, that's assuming he doesn't break down with injury again which has sadly become common with Bryan.

Basically Martinez is going to need a left back, we probably won't see Baines until December and then he needs games to look anything like fit.
Martinez is going to have an awful lot of signings to make in the next two weeks so I suggest he quits pussy footing around and starts making moves fast.

Tony J Williams
33 Posted 14/08/2015 at 11:27:27

Agree with the Lescott idea, played 34 times last season so not showing any signs of breaking down just yet.

Karl, I imagine the manager knew exactly what the situation was with Baines, just didn't want the fans to know for some reason.

I am hoping that Oviedo can stay fit

Paul Cherrington
34 Posted 14/08/2015 at 11:41:07

I am gutted too as obviously Baines will be a big miss for us. However, I agree: it hands the chance to Oveido to impress which he did last time this situation occured (think that was under the old manager). So it might work out okay for the team, I think... but sad for Leighton personally.

Tony J Williams
35 Posted 14/08/2015 at 12:04:24

Nope Paul, under the new manager when we beat Moyes's Man Utd with the Oviedo goal and Seamus having a brain fart and not knowing which way to run to celebrate.

Mark Tanton
36 Posted 14/08/2015 at 12:09:27

Ah remember that barmy autumn? Winning at the Mancs, giving Arsenal a football lesson on their own pitch...

Richard Reeves
37 Posted 14/08/2015 at 12:10:09

It's not all bad news: Galloway looks decent at left back and will get better and Oviedo needs to get back playing otherwise what's the point in keeping him?

As has been the case in the past (particularly with Moyes), sometimes when an injury happens it forces players to get games when they might have had to wait a lot longer and in the process speed up their progression (if they are young) and sometimes discover a more accomplished performance by the team.

It could be a blessing in disguise in a weird kind of way; still... I hope Baines makes a full recovery earlier than predicted but, until that time, I hope Galloway can be a revelation at left back until he moves into his destined position alongside Stones at centre back (or Browning, depending if we can keep hold of Stones for a good few years).

Mark Fitzgerald
38 Posted 14/08/2015 at 12:22:13

Gutted for Bainesy but at least we do have options at LB. Most interesting is what Kieran # 22 mentioned; Barry to left back. Although his lack of pace might be a concern, his experience and ability on the ball are both positives. And he did slot in well last week.

Taking Barry out of central midfield might just allow RM to lose the double DM option and try a central trio of say Macca/Cleverly/Barkley with DelBoy & Kev out wide supporting Rom. That certainly looks a more creative & attack minded set-up than we have been used to.

Denis Richardson
39 Posted 14/08/2015 at 14:16:51

The only good thing I can see if Barry goes to LB is that we break up the McCarthy/Barry partnership in MF. However, given his lack of pace, I'd hate to think we'd start him at LB for any games. Every right winger is going to have a field day, nevermind S'ton! Also he won't be getting up the pitch so forget about assists and overlaps from the LB position.

He's handy to have as cover for LB but should not be starting there. Best place is on the bench with Cleverlely next to McCarthy. Barry's turning 35 this season so we need to use him sparingly as he can cover at DCM, CB and LB. Given the injuries we currently have, that's not a bad thing.

Although Galloway did ok at LB, I hope Martinez starts Oviedo at LB. He got a bit of a run out last game so should hopefully be ready to start.

Paul Ellam
40 Posted 14/08/2015 at 14:18:51

Surely with Garbutt out too this a huge chance for Oviedo to stake his claim to the first team permanently.
It's up to him now.

Stephen Brown
41 Posted 14/08/2015 at 14:23:28

If Bryan Oviedo cannot get a run of games in these circumstances then he may as well look elsewhere!

Paul Cherrington
42 Posted 14/08/2015 at 14:30:07

Thanks Tony -- getting confused in my old age ha ha! if he moves Barry to LB rather than play Oviedo I will properly despair. Barry is not a left-back -- he's barely a football player.

Dave Abrahams
43 Posted 14/08/2015 at 14:35:57

Anthony (19) I think Aston Villa were interested in Lescott, the last I heard West Brom gave him a two year contract.

Trevor Lynes
44 Posted 14/08/2015 at 14:59:08

Lescott is too slow to play full back nowadays and so is Barry. Full backs need pace and Lescott and Barry are slower than Distin.That lad never should have been let go without a proper replacement. So much for planning!

Buttner is a good loan as he is very quick and is only 26 years old. He can also play in midfield. I see him as a good replacement for Baines in the short term.He is doing OK in Russia according to reports.

Mads Kamp
45 Posted 14/08/2015 at 20:42:23

Ashley Cole released by AS Roma!

Ian McDowell
46 Posted 14/08/2015 at 20:46:01

This goes to show the inept leadership and management. We have sold allow Distin, Garbutt to both go and months later no replacement in sight. FFS

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