West Bromwich Albion defender Nolan Galves has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury. The 23-year-old full-back, who joined from French club Rodez AF in the summer, has undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.
Director of medical Tony Strudwick confirmed the extent of the setback. "Nolan sustained a significant knee injury in the game against Derby early in September," Strudwick said. "We expect him to miss the remainder of the season." The injury occurred during the 1-0 win at Pride Park on September 9th, when Galves went down following a challenge with Mo Fuseini shortly after coming on as a substitute.
Club support
The club has pledged its full support to Galves throughout his recovery. He will complete his rehabilitation programme with West Bromwich Albion's medical staff, who will oversee his long-term return to fitness.
Squad impact
Galves had started Albion's first five league matches of the season before being rested for the Derby fixture, making his absence a significant blow. Some defensive relief may come from the expected returns of Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Callum Styles, who missed recent international duty with minor issues but are hopeful to be available for the next match. Morgan is the team's top scorer this season with three goals in eight appearances.
League context
The news comes as West Bromwich Albion sit fifth in the Championship table with 14 points from eight games. Their recent form has been mixed, with a 1-0 loss to Wolves followed by a draw with QPR. The last meeting between the sides ended in a goalless draw. The club will support Galves through his rehabilitation as they aim to maintain their push for promotion from their current position in the standings.
Further reading: bbc.com
