AS Monaco manager Adi Hütter has confirmed that Caio Henrique will undergo surgery on an ACL injury, ruling him out for at least six months.
Henrique suffered the injury during Monaco’s 1-0 defeat against local rivals OGC Nice on Friday. Despite playing on for around 30 minutes following the injury, further medical tests this week ascertained the severity of it. On Tuesday, the club issued the following statement:
“Caio Henrique has a sprain on the left knee with an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament being evaluated.”
It was not revealed at the time whether the Brazilian international would undergo surgery to remedy the problem, but Hütter has now announced that the decision has been taken. “He is going for surgery,” began the Monaco manager, who then went on to estimate Henrique’s period of absence. “For this injury, it’s not the same for every player, but I want him back as quickly as possible. I can’t say exactly [how long he’ll be absent]. Perhaps six, seven or eight months.”
Monaco to make a ‘joker’ transfer?
Should Henrique be out for eight months, it is touch-and-go as to whether he will feature again this season. His injury is a significant blow. The former Atletico Madrid player is top of the Ligue 1 assist charts (four) and has been one of Monaco’s most creative forces.
Will he be replaced before the January transfer window? Ligue 1 rules stipulate that clubs can make one ‘joker’ transfer, which essentially allows any club to buy one player from another Ligue 1 club. However, it remains to be seen whether Monaco will exercise this option.
Hütter seemed to dispel such an idea during Thursday’s press conference in La Turbie. “We have a replacement in this position in (Ismail) Jakobs,” he said. The club have therefore put their faith in the Senegalese international, at least in the short-term. It remains to be seen, however, whether the Principality club will look to strengthen in this position in January, or perhaps earlier.
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Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life