Kerala Blasters have confirmed that captain Jessel Carneiro suffered a shoulder injury towards the end of the Indian Super League match against Hyderabad FC on Sunday.
The left-back was stretchered off after a sliding tackle in the final minutes of the game led to him injuring his shoulder. The player was writhing in pain and was replaced by Sanjeev Stalin.
The 31-year-old Goan defender was taken to a hospital immediately.
“Further scans have been taken to better assess the severity of the injury,” said the club in a statement. But there are reports that Carneiro could have to undergo surgery, which would rule him out for a significant period of time.
The experienced full-back Nishu Kumar, who has not started any game this season and used only as a substitute, is expected to replace Carneiro, though the Blasters have a natural left-back in young Stalin.
The injury to the captain was the only disappointment for the team in an otherwise impressive 1-0 win over the in-form Hyderabad FC. Carneiro also made a goal-line clearance in the 80th minute to keep the clean sheet for his side.
Alvaro Vazquez’s goal sent the Blasters to the top of the ISL table with 10 matches played.
