Mbenza out for ‘five or six weeks’ with calf injury

LOAN wingman Isaac Mbenza has been ruled out of Town’s battle against relegation for five or six weeks.

The Montpellier flier suffered a calf injury in the 5-0 defeat at Chelsea and won’t now return until towards the end of March.

It’s a savage blow to the Belgium Under 21 international, who was making his 19th appearance for the club at Stamford Bridge when the injury occurred.

Head coach Jan Siewert explained Mbenza had been able to play no part in preparations for tackling Arsenal at the John Smith’s Stadium but will be given every help to return to fitness as quickly as possible.

“Isaac will be missing for five or six weeks,” said the boss, who will check on Chris Lowe (illness) over the next 24 hours in the hope his man-of-the-match from last weekend will be available to face Unai Emery’s Gunners.

“He has a tear of his calf (in the right leg). We didn’t expect this because he had a great training week (in the build-up to the game) and then, after 25 minutes we were all surprised.

“This was also a big surprise for Isaac, too, and now we will have to live with his six weeks absence.

“He was totally disappointed. I really felt for him, and it’s disappointing when any player from my team gets injured. It hurts me.

“I have tried to lift him, and we have a really good medical staff who are working hard to get him back as quickly as possible.” Chelsea was only his sixth start in the Premier League this season, in addition to the one he made in the Carabao Cup at Stoke, and the 22-year-old was keen to impress new boss Siewert.

It’s really disappointing when any player from my team gets injured