After only just returning to full, first team training in March, Liverpool fullback Jon Flanagan has seen his return from injury stutter once again after being forced to undergo another operation on his knee.
The 22-year old, who has spent the entire season on the treatment table after suffering the initial injury during the pre-season tour of America, left a London hospital on Wednesday having had what is now his third operation on the same knee and is expected to spend the next two months on crutches according to the Liverpool ECHO. Although Flanagan looked to be very much on the road to recovery after featuring in the Liverpool Charity All-Star Game last month, secondary follow-up scans have revealed a further problem which the club has decided to fix now rather than chance another long-term lay off in the future.
With veteran fullback Glen Johnson expected to head for the exit door when his contract expires this summer and the club having serious doubts about the effectiveness and long-term suitability of on-loan Atletico Madrid man Javier Manquillo, the Reds were hoping to see Flanagan back in action at some point this year ahead of having him get a full pre-season in. Now, that’s certainly not going to happen with most media outlets estimating that he could be on the sidelines for a further nine months.
Despite missing the entire season through injury, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has expressed an interest in tying down the 22-year old to a new deal ahead of his contract expiring this summer — something the club should now make a high priority. “Hopefully Flanno’s contract will be sorted out,” the Northern Irishman said last month. “He is working his way back to fitness and when that happens I am sure the contract will get sorted out. He is a big part of the future here. He did remarkably well last year and showed he is a player who can play for many years at this level.”
