REAL MADRID HAVE have given Sunderland forward Duncan Watmore an unexpected lift as he faces another battle with serious injury.
Only weeks after returning from cruciate ligament damage, the 23-year-old suffered a similar problem, which could see him sidelined for the best part of a year.
The former England Under-21 international managed only six matches before suffering a relapse in a 2-2 draw with Millwall last month, but the Santiago Bernabeu club have apparently helped to ease some of the mental pain by sending the player a letter of support.
Duncan went to rehab today to find this letter waiting for him. How classy is that from @realmadrid? I now hope they win the Champions League again! pic.twitter.com/0D4rLIw5Wc
— Ian Watmore (@ianwatmore) December 5, 2017
“To get the letter was a total surprise but what an incredible gesture from a very classy club,” Ian Watmore, the player’s father, told the BBC.
“It has given Duncan a real lift. He sent me a picture of it on WhatsApp as he left the training ground and I asked if I could tweet it. The reaction has been great.
“His situation is just awful really. We don’t know how long he will be out this time but I would be surprised if he is back before September or October next year.
“If he was a world-famous player maybe you’d expect it. It was totally out of the blue.
“What an incredible gesture.”
“Mata’s charity is followed very closely by the Spanish media, so I suspect Real Madrid have picked up on what happened to Duncan that way,” he explained.
“Either that or Chris Coleman his manager has said something to Gareth Bale through their relationship at the Wales international level.
“But for the club to think of him and send a letter is wonderful.”
And Ian is confident his son can come back as strong as ever from the setback.
“It happened through a freak accident,” he said. “It’s not an inherent weakness in the knee.
“It was just one of those weird footballing things that can happen. The same surgeon who rebuilt his knee last year has already operated again.
“Duncan came through England U21s with players like Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Will Hughes and Jordan Pickford. So while they’re all emerging on the Premier League scene he’s stuck in the slow lane again, which is very difficult for him.
“But it doesn’t help mentally when you think about what could have been. You have to deal with the situation as it is and Duncan is good at that.”
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Getting into a rhythm now, should have been game over against wolves in the first half Monday, back in the groove now, shuts that thick agbonlahor up now with his bielsa a great coach is a myth comment on sky, get back to gobbling greilish ya muppet
@Didithedevil: horrible comment.
@Bob Cummings: Explain…
Had reservations about what Leeds would do but Bielsa has really worked magic. It’s like he has focused on perfecting players strengths than wasting time on improving weaknesses. There are few teams that could comfortably commit too many players to attack their defence because of Leeds swift precise and deadly attacking and counter attacking. Much as I love the blades and Wilder I’m jealous seeing the way they play. No fluke, a masterplan of a few years in the making.
@Pat Ryan: Bielsa and the way he has Leeds playing has restored my faith in the beautiful game, they are a joy to watch and I’m so glad Bamford has proven me wrong
MOT
Bielsa is a tactical genius. MOT
Ha ha unreal second half from Leeds. Destroyed them
Call him up quick
@Seagoat returns: he has said he wants to play for England. According to balls.ie
Bamford for Ireland
#alaw or for those not familiar with Irish Leeds fans, “all Leeds aren’t we.”
Looking forward to getting back to the Peacock et cetera when normality returns. Meanwhile tonight and nights like this will do just fine.
@sean de paore: I would rather do the crush In Billy’s Bar than the Peacock any day. But I do get your drift… MOT #INBIELSAWETRUST
Is he Irish (yet)?
What a time to be a Leeds fan,pity we can’t be in grounds,then premier League would see an athmospere,bielsa is god
Service crew
Get your coat on and get moving
Get your coat on and ger moving
Looks really bad