• Premier League

Wenger sparks fears over Vermaelen injury

ESPNsoccernet staff
December 23, 2010
Thomas Vermaelen has just returned to training © Getty Images
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Arsene Wenger has hinted Thomas Vermaelen could miss the rest of the season if he suffers a fresh setback in his bid to overcome an Achilles problem.

Vermaelen was initially expected to miss just a few days when he suffered an Achilles injury earlier in the season, but he has not featured for his club since August.

While Wenger has reiterated that the defender is likely to be back in late January, he revealed the coming days will determine whether or not he can play a role in the second half of the campaign.

"Thomas has been out for a long time and we are hopeful he will come back in January," Wenger said. "He's had a few setbacks and the decider on whether he plays a part this season is now because he is practising again.

"If he has another setback I don't know what the medical staff will do, but overall they look quite optimistic he will be back in January.

"I feel we can't complain with our injury situation because we have had periods where we have had many more injuries than now."

Despite the fears over Vermaelen, Wenger stressed that January signings would be dependent on player sales rather than injury.

"We have players to deal with it if there is a setback," he said. "We have 25 players and you can't have more. Unless people move out, nobody can come in."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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