Good news for Tottenham on Michael Dawson injury

When Tottenham’s Michael Dawson left the field in England’s win over Bulgaria last Friday I think we all feared the worst. It looked like a very serious knee injury and he was obviously in considerable agony. It looked like a cruciate ligament injury and one that would potentially keep him out of the game for the rest of the season.

Pleasing

It is heartening and pleasing to hear that the Tottenham medical staff are saying that he may only miss six to eight weeks as the damage was to an ankle ligament and medial knee ligament rather than the cruciate.

It does of course mean that Dawson will miss England’s game in Switzerland this week and also three Champions League games and several Premier League games so it is not all good news, but that is still a lot better than most people feared at the time.

Crucial

The twenty-six year old defender has become a crucial part of the Tottenham defence and was looking to establish himself with England in the injury absence of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

Despite the absences, Fabio Capello has decided against calling up a replacement and seems happy with the Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill partnership or may turn back to Matt Upson.

Worry

Although England may miss him the real worry is for Tottenham. Harry Redknapp is mightily relieved that the injury isn’t as bad as he expected.

“First of all, it’s a big blow for Michael and a great shame for him, but watching it live, I thought it could have been worse than it’s turned out. It could have been his cruciate ligament and that would have been the end of the season for him but as it is, it’s not such a long job and he should be back in a couple of months.”

Treatment

Dawson had injury problems last season and he is one of three Tottenham centre-halves who seem to spend more time on the treatment table than on the pitch. Jonathan Woodgate has suffered terrible luck with injuries and Ledley King seems to be held together with string and sticky tape!

Redknapp is now relieved that he bought William Gallas to the club on a free transfer recently.

“Jonathan Woodgate is struggling, Ledley King can’t play every game and you also have to remember that Michael had an Achilles injury last season. So it was always a position we needed to do something in and that’s why we signed Gallas. Sebastien Bassong was excellent last season and we’ve got decent cover in there, players who can come in and do a job, but you also need experience. Ledley’s got experience, Michael’s got experience and now William’s experience will be invaluable. He’ll give us a bit of know-how and a real presence. You don’t do what he’s done in the game without being a top, top player and he’s got all the medals to show for it.”

Quickly

Tottenham will be OK without Dawson but they will want him back as quickly as possible. Redknapp is right about what Gallas has achieved, but he is a player who became surplus to requirements at Arsenal, who’s international career is over and who would definitely not get a starting place at Tottenham if there were not problems with the others.

I’m sure he’ll do a job, but there is no doubt that Redknapp will be hugely relieved with the news that Dawson won’t be out for long.