Kolkata: ATK’s title aspirations received a huge blow as star striker and marquee signing Robbie Keane on Sunday returned home after suffering an Achilles tendon injury during the pre-season in Dubai.
The Irish legend was one of the top signings of this year’s ISL and was expected to set the stage on fire. He was also named the ATK captain but unfortunately, he will be out for two-three weeks owing to the injury.
“He suffered an Achilles tendon injury during one of our pre-season match in Dubai. he’s been taking a few injections for it but the injury has sustained. He has flown back home and will possibly be out for the first few weeks. Spanish Ceter-back Jordi Figueras Montel will lead the team in his place,” confirmed head coach Teddy Sheringham at an ISL media event on Sunday.
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker’s goal-scoring abilities are well known across the world and added to that, he had a great beginning, scoring four goals in the four pre-season matches. But the fans in India will have to wait a little longer to witness the global superstar woo them with his magnificent attacking prowess and sheer brilliance in the field.
“Hopefully, he is not out for so long because he is a big figure in the team. He is key to how we play and how we want to play the game. He is a fantastic player and a fantastic leader,” added a optimistic ATK coach.
It will indeed be a big miss for the defending champions but with the quality of footballers at their disposal, ATK will not find it hard to replace the tall Irishman and Sheringham echoed just this, when he said, “We have a good squad of 25 very capable players that can come in and replace the injured player. I have no qualms about putting any one of those players in his place to take the responsibility. He will be out for the first couple of games and that will open the door for someone else and I have an optimism that who ever come in, will do a good job for us.”