Christian Benteke has been ruled out with a knee injury. It appears as Benteke has been struggling with his knee since the initial injury against Norwich back in September. Benteke missed the game against Stoke and Lambert has confirmed that the Belgian striker will also miss the Boxing Day clash against Crystal Palace as well as games against Swansea and Sunderland.
Benteke has since traveled to Belgium where he will have his knee treated by the Belgium national team physiotherapist.
“He needs to have a wee bit of a rest and treatment. It’s not long-term, I’m pretty sure it is not.” – Paul Lambert
But the good news is that Kozak is fit and after his goal against Stoke City, might be the best striker available to lead the line. Benteke is yet to score since September, meanwhile Kozak has scored 4 goals for Aston Villa in the Premier League the same number as Benteke but has played much less football.
Hopefully this injury isn’t too serious, some people predict that this injury is the main reason why Benteke hasn’t been scoring goals. On the pitch he seems a little more scared or less brave. Nevertheless I wish Benteke a swift recovery.
I have a friend who us currently in Little Aston hospital and that’s where he saw Benteke coming in for scans. It’s his knee and groin apparently, it stems back from the international break when he was forced onto the bench through injury. His English isn’t great but he’s hopeful he won’t need surgery but he’s going to Belgium for Xmas as well as seeing some specialists.
He will be a miss but if he’s been carrying this injury for this whole time it explains why he’s been unable to out jump defenders recently. Get well soon Benteke!
Some of us thought he might still be carrying a niggling injury and that begs the question why he wasn’t properly allowed to get over it.
That said, he obviously felt ok to play and he is normally our biggest threat by a mile, so I guess Lambert can be forgiven for continuing to play him.
I still don’t understand why our physios can’t treat him, but if it’s a case of the manager just being nice and letting him go home for the festive season as a favour, that’s decent man-management and I’m all in favour of it.
Let’s hope he comes back rested, healed and happy, ready to start banging them in again!
Oh and that he doesn’t leave in the window.
As a slight sidenote, Benteke’s agent has rubbished claims that he might be going to Atletico and interestingly, says the player knocked them back in the summer.
I suppose with Diego Costa banging the goals in then why would you want to go play second fiddle to him?
The break should hopefully do Benteke good and he will come back fresh for our tough fixtures in the New Year.
Merry Christmas everyone!
The rumour was that Arse or Chelsea will be in for Costa, hence Benteke being lined up as his replacement.
Merry Xmas too mate 🙂
Costa’s not gonna wanna leave Spain, in my opinion anyways.
Because Simeone like’s playing 2 forwards and he’d be a great partnership for Costa. Though there is Villa who’s also banging in the goals. He’d no doubt get to play though.
I think he’s had enough breaks for one season!
I think it’s a rumoured £35 mill Andrew?
That may well be enough to tempt Atletico, so he might not have much choice, especially with the wages that’ll no doubt be on offer.
I’m not that bothered, as long as Benteke stays until at least the summer.
We badly need him firing on all cylinders.
Can’t c us getting £35m for bent eke badger.
£35 mill for Costa, not Benteke.
Will we notice him gone?
Dead right we will, imo.
It’s only because he’s been injured that he’s been poor of late mate.
I’m not. Buying that Badger, if your injured fine you know that, to play and use it as a reason your form gone , No, I’m not saying he’s not got a problem I think he has, your knee has gone your the player you say you have, so what’s gone one, played 4 games played crap, come on now the excuse comes out, insurance comes into play, not buying it mate, we are being conned.
On…?
I really think he just doesn’t enjoy playing for us anymore.sad i know but his body language just sucks aswell as his lacklustre effort.mind you imo he’s doing himself no favours either in the market or international selection.lukaku anyday atm.
I don’t enjoy watching us anymore so look out for a bid from Spain for my support. I reckon I could get by on two grand a week.
I have a mate who works in his local chippy and apparently he’s developed a crack in his fanny. Meant to be really painful by all accounts. Drs are responding by injecting a little hyperdermic prick into the affected area.
Merry Bloomin’ Christmas one and all.
Allegedly.
Just been on the hard shoulder of the M5 talking to a lad who had a scrape with the girder a swindon town fan we got talking & his words were ‘what the fuck has happened to that famous club of yours’it sent shivers down me mind you the bill he’s getting is small fry compared £1,000 a ft.happy xmas everyone.
You could see at Norwich when he tried to come back on and collapsed unable to put weight on the leg, that this was more than a strain. And if surgery is not required it will be a long time healing.
Giddyvillan – where did you start your reply?
OLLION soz mate you’ve lost me.could you explain plse.
Is there anyone out there??