Everton attacker Andros Townsend taking longer than normal to return from ACL rupture – Injury expert
We’re delighted to welcome injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the injury situation at Everton...
Dr Rajpal Brar believes Everton attacker Andros Townsend should have been back in action as ACL ruptures usually do not keep footballers out for that long.
The 31-year-old suffered an ACL injury in March 2022 in an FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace.
Usually, players return after six to nine months, but Townsend has now been out for a year and does not look any closer to returning from injury.
In December, then Toffees manager Frank Lampard confirmed that he had suffered a further setback with his injury and was a while away from returning.
Speaking exclusively with Goodison News, Brar, a specialist in Physical Therapy and Sports Scientist, said, “It’s hard to say if he will be fit by the end of the season but his timeline is certainly longer than average, nearly a year now, for elite footballers returning from ACL rupture.
“With the club facing relegation, would be difficult to reintroduce him into high intensity games where the club needs points.”
The 31-year-old’s contract at Everton runs out at the end of the season and the chances of him not returning to action until then, appear to be very high.
Townsend featured regularly last season under Rafa Benitez as he went on to make 21 appearances in the Premier League until March, scoring three goals and assisting twice.
He also scored four and assisted twice in six cup games – two in the EFL Cup and four in the FA Cup.