Faubert out for six months
The French winger could find his international hopes dashed by the injury
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Thursday, 19, Jul 2007 04:57
West Ham United's new signing Julien Faubert has been ruled out for at least six months after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The French winger, a £6.1 million acquisition from Bordeaux, was carried off after only 35 minutes of the Hammers' 1-0 friendly defeat to Sigma Olomouc in the Czech Republic.
Head physiotherapist George Cooper said: "The injury was completely out of the blue.
"Julien has no history of any Achilles problems, and this kind of rupture is usually pre-disposed by past steroid injections in the area - something he has never had - so it is a major shock."
Cooper said Faubert had been sent to a top surgeon in Strasbourg and would return "only when he is completely ready".
"I have to say, Julien's attitude and reaction to the injury has been first class," he continued.
"He was already planning his rehabilitation in the taxi on the way to the hospital, and we will be working with him every step of the way to ensure he returns to full fitness as soon as possible."
Hammers manager Alan Curbishley added: "It's a devastating blow for everyone, especially Julien. He had fitted in so well and was showing all the attributes needed to be a success in the Premiership.
"You could see in the short bit of football he has played with us that he was going to be a big hit with the supporters - he is strong, fast, gets up and down, and understands the game - so to lose him after an hour of football and just two weeks at the club is a big disappointment.
"We wish Julien a speedy recovery and, having got to know the boy over the past week or so, I am certain that he will respond to this set-back in the right way.
"Hopefully we will see him back in action around Christmas time, but the main thing is that he follows his rehabilitation programme and only returns when he is 100 per cent ready."
Curbishley has made three major new signings so far this summer – Faubert, Craig Bellamy from Liverpool (£7.5 million) and Scott Parker from Newcastle (£7 million) – as he looks to avoid a repeat of last season's relegation battle.
And despite the bad news for Faubert, the Upton Park head coach saw one of those new acquisitions, Bellamy, hit the woodwork in an impressive debut in the same friendly.
While Dean Ashton – still on the comeback trail after suffering a season-ending broken ankle almost 12 months ago – came through 60 minutes of the match as he targets the start of the new season next month.
West Ham's fourth summer signing, goalkeeper Richard Wright, also started the friendly but was taken off at half-time.