Galloway doubtful for AFCON following knee injury

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Nov 25, 2021. 16:00

Zimbabwe defender Brendan Galloway is a doubt for the Africa Cup of Nations early next year after suffering a knee injury while representing Plymouth Argyle in League One this midweek.

Galloway sustained a dislocated kneecap in Plymouth’s 3-0 loss to Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday and looks set for a spell on the sidelines.

Club manager Ryan Lowe is hoping that the 25-year-old does not spend a significant stretch of time out of action – with a dislocated kneecap not nearly as serious as a cruciate ligament injury – while Warriors coach Norman Mapeza will also be monitoring the situation ahead of Zimbabwe’s participation in the AFCON in Cameroon, with the tournament opening on January 9.

“I’m gutted for him, but he’ll be looked after,” Lowe told BBC Sport.

“I’m told if you dislocate your knee cap it just goes back in and there’s a bit of swelling around it, so we’ll have to wait and see what the scans say.

“But I’m just pleased that it’s not an MCL or ACL or cruciate (ligaments) or anything like that.”

Galloway, who played in Zimbabwe’s World Cup qualifying games against South Africa and Ethiopia earlier this month, has been dogged with injuries through his career.

He agreed a short-term deal at Home Park in the summer having played just six times in all competitions in the two previous seasons at Luton.

“It’s the opposite knee anyway,” Lowe added. “When I went in I saw one scar down the front of one knee, which was the right knee, and I looked at the left one and there’s no scars on that so that’s pleasing for him.

“Hopefully he’s alright, we’ll get the scans and the X-rays in and we’ll take it from there.”