Boss Roy Keane says the club have been given no indication that midfielder Luciano Civelli’s knee injury threatens his career. The Argentinian, who is currently back in South America, has been sidelined since suffering the injury in his eighth game for Town last March and now isn’t expected to return until early next season.

Keane says he has received no suggestion that the 23-year-old’s injury is career-threatening: “Not really, not from the medical staff. The boy had a nasty injury. Without going into the ins and outs of it, it wasn’t just a standard cruciate injury, there was cartilage damage.

“He speaks to our medical staff on a daily basis. The reason he went back to Argentina wasn’t just the physical recovery but the emotional side as well. It’s tough for the boy.

“People who haven’t been at a professional club will never understand what a player goes through. He’s come here with big expectations, he’s had a taste of it and then gets a bad injury.”

Keane says the former Banfield man will be given every chance to make his return: “We’ve got a lot of time for him, the medical staff can’t speak highly enough of him.

“Are we worried long term? We’ve not thought about that too much. We want to give the boy a chance like anybody else and that is for us to give him the best medical treatment, and that’s what we’re getting.

“The reports we’re getting are that he’s enjoying it, the fact that he’s in his own environment. I’ve no problem with that if we think it helps the player’s recovery.

“If he’s back with us in pre-season, although even that might be a bit ambitious, August or September maybe, we’ll be delighted. As long as the boy makes it back.

“We’ve seen other players being out of the game for two or three years and they come back, so it can happen.”

Civelli joined the Blues in the 2009 January transfer window from Banfield in his home country for a fee of around £1.1 million.

Photo: Action Images

dirtydingusmagee added 10:08 - Feb 6 Good luck to him, knee injuries are not good news,i feel sorry for him, came here as bright prospect and cop,s that before he settled .Here,s hoping he does get back on the park .
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itfccymru added 10:31 - Feb 6 He deserves to have a chance, his first 2-3 games wasen't really fussed on him, but then when Magilton started playing him more towards the end of last season i was really impressed with him, he has a physical presence about him which we really need in the team, some of the crosses he was delievering where class! and thats where people like Steady and Murphy will thrive off, Hope to see him next season fully fit and on form!

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mightytown added 10:35 - Feb 6 this kind of injury is bad at the worst of time, so to hear the news about cartilage damage aswell doesnt make for happy reading. his injury is very severe but the worst thing in the world would be to write him off and say he'll never be back. good luck luca, we hope to see you back in the blue and white soon! coyb
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PimsNumber1 added 10:37 - Feb 6 Best wishes Luciano for a full recovery. Take care matey.
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corshamblue added 11:08 - Feb 6 I'm sure he'll be back, looks like a battler to me. Will be good to get him on the pitch next season.
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legoman added 16:00 - Feb 6 I would imagine this type of injury could add hesitancy to a players game. Like michael owen. It must make you think twice when going for a 50/50 ball.
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TannersCoke added 09:23 - Feb 7 Looked a good player, hope he makes a full recovery
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