Injury expert issues upbeat Alex Iwobi verdict after analysing Everton ‘video footage’
Alex Iwobi is expected to miss around three to four weeks at Everton after suffering an ankle injury against Man United in the FA Cup.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
Iwobi was stretchered off during Everton’s FA Cup defeat to Man United on Friday following a tackle from Tyrell Malacia.
Everton released an official statement on the injury on Sunday (8 January), stating that Iwobi had suffered a lateral ligament injury that will be managed conservatively at Finch Farm.
The 26-year-old joins a growing injury list at Goodison Park that includes James Garner, Nathan Patterson, Michael Keane and Andros Townsend.
Dinnery reviewed the footage of Iwobi’s injury at Old Trafford and concluded that things could have been far worse for the Nigerian midfielder.
“It’s always difficult when you’re seeing images of a player in serious pain, and it always looks far worse through camera angles and slowed-down footage,” Dinnery told Football Insider.
“We’re looking at a recovery timeline of around three-to-four weeks based on the video footage I’ve seen.
“It could have been a lot worse for him.
“Iwobi has been one of the most consistent performers under Frank Lampard this season, so the fact he could potentially return in early February is good news for Everton.
“But the caveat is always that we’re relying on the recovery and rehabilitation to go smoothly, which we know isn’t always the case.“
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