BENNETT AND TOMLIN INJURY UPDATES

CARDIFF City have confirmed that defender Joe Bennett has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The left-back went down in a heap in the 4-0 win over Derby County on Tuesday night.

Turning in the middle of the pitch just before half-time, Bennett let out an audible shriek which alerted players and staff to the seriousness of the injury.

Play was stopped for six minutes, with Bennett eventually stretched off in obvious discomfort.

Boss Mick McCarthy said in his post-match press conference that it did not look good.

“He’s not good,” McCarthy said of Bennett. “I’m not a doctor or a surgeon but he’ll be assessed tomorrow.

“He’s not in good shape anyway. It’s his knee. Exceptionally tough for him, you could tell it wasn’t right.

There will be suspicions of being ligaments or ACL all that.

“Until he has a scan and the doctors have decided what it is, I’m not going to try and attempt to say what it is. Everybody will have a guess.

“You could tell, he didn’t move. When someone goes down and doesn’t move you know he’s hurt and it’s a real sore one.”

Cardiff have now confirmed the worst news that they feared for Bennett.

The club tweeted: “Scans today have shown that @JoeBennett27 sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee during City’s match with @ dcfcofficial on Tuesday night. He will now be referred to a specialist. We’re all with you, Joe!”

Bennett’s misfortune presents youngster Joel Bagan with an opportunity between now and the end of the campaign, and McCarthy backed him to do a job for the Bluebirds.

“I’ve got absolutely zero worries about Joel Bagan,” the manager said last night.

“He’s very unfortunate that he’s got such a good player and experienced player in front of him. Joe’s vastly experienced and a good player.”