Aston Villa and Belgium centre forward Christian Benteke has reportedly been ruled out for the rest of the season and will miss the 2014 FIFA World Cup after tearing his Achilles tendon.
Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur claims that the tall striker had suffered the blow in training and will now miss the coming months.
Bad news for Christian #Benteke. Suffered an injury on training, probably a serious achilles tendon injury. No World Cup for him? #avfc
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) April 3, 2014
Christian Benteke has torn his achilles tendon. No World Cup for him. #avfc
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) April 3, 2014
Although Aston Villa fans will be keen to wait for the news to be officially confirmed, if true, it is a significant blow to the team’s Premier League run-in.
Benteke has scored ten goals in the English top flight, and is the only Villa player in double figures.
Indeed, his tally represents almost 30% of the club’s total of 34 goals this season, and additional pressure will be on the likes of Andreas Weimann and Gabriel Agbonlahor to find the back of the net.
Benteke has competed with Romelu Lukaku for a place up front in the Belgium side, and it certainly throws a spanner in the works of Red Devils manager Marc Wilmots.
An Aston Villa spokesman later confirmed that Benteke has been sent for a scan on his Achilles tendon. They will confirm how long he will be sidelined for in a statement tomorrow morning.
UPDATE: Aston Villa confirm the severity of Benteke’s injury.
Benteke will undergo surgery after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon injury today in training. Out for a minimum of six months.
— Brendan McLoughlin (@bren_mcloughlin) April 3, 2014
“It’s a terrible blow both for Christian and for the club,” said Paul Lambert. “He will miss the rest of the season and also the World Cup.
— Brendan McLoughlin (@bren_mcloughlin) April 3, 2014
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