Ebbsfleet United’s on-loan Wycombe Wanderers defender Jack Wakely faces long spell on sidelines with knee injury sustained at Barnet
Published: 05:00, 04 September 2023
Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb has revealed the extent of Jack Wakely’s injury.
The on-loan Wycombe centre-back went down injured in the fourth minute at Barnet on Bank Holiday Monday and was stretchered off in considerable pain.
The 22-year-old faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
“He has a really bad injury, it’s ACL, PCL and LCL,” explained Kutrieb. “I feel really sorry for him as he had a great start to the season for us.
“He’s in a good place and has a strong mindset so I’m pretty sure he will be back. Obviously, it takes time but he will be back stronger and I’m looking forward to that.”
Wakely made a big impression during the first few weeks of his loan spell at Stonebridge Road.
He was the perfect fit for Kutrieb and the Fleet boss believed it was a two-way street.
“I would say he’s a good fit for us,” said Kutrieb. “He wasn’t really playing the seasons before, it needs to be a good fit for the manager, club, and player, it’s not just a one-way street.
“I think he felt very valued here and what we need he could grow in confidence as he felt I liked him as a player.”
Going forward, Kutrieb added: “It’s just support mentally. There’s not much you can do as a manager, you can ask about him and how he is.
“I know he has a strong mindset and he said he’ll be back stronger which is what I love to hear.
“He’s a young player so he will be back but it’s the worst possible outcome for the player and for me as a manager as well because he was very good for us in the first part of the season.
“You don’t want to lose a player anyway but especially at the beginning of the season when he is a new player.”
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Matthew Panting