Loanee Bonds ruled out for the season

LOAN midfielder Elliot Bonds has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury during Cheltenham Town’s 1-0 home win over Scunthorpe United last week.

The Guyana international, borrowed from Hull City had a scan on his knee and ankle on Thursday and Cheltenham boss Michael Duff confirmed he is facing a long spell on the sidelines.

“It’s quite a bad one and he’ll be out for the season,” said Duff. “He’s done his ACL, among other things. He’ll have his appointment in Harrogate on Monday and then go back to Hull and they’ll look after him with their medics and physios.”

In the aftermath, Duff diplomatically described the challenge on Bonds as a “difficult” one, which “didn’t look great”.

Bonds, 20, is now going to return to his parent club, who are managed by ex-robins midfielder Grant Mccann, to begin his rehabilitation.

Formerly a youth player at Reading and Brentford, Bonds started out in senior football with Dagenham & Redbridge, appearing on loan for Farnborough.

He joined Cheltenham on a season-long loan during the summer. After a minor injury during pre-season he returned to fitness and has started the Robins’ last three League Two matches.

He has made a total of six starts and two substitute appearances this term.

“I spoke to Grant three times last week, about something else and then that happened on Tuesday,” said Duff.

“We wanted Elliott in for the start of preseason, but a few things happened and he picked up a a knock. He’s a lovely lad, he wants to learn and I’ve had a little bit of a chat with him because I had a similar injury.

“It doesn’t need to define you. You can come back stronger and learn in this period.

“It’ll be tough for him mentally and it’s happened early in his career so hopefully he’ll come back bigger, better, stronger, quicker.”