Russell Slade and Cardiff City have been dealt a huge blow ahead of the start of the 2015-16 Championship season, as Wales revealed this morning that defender Ben Turner will miss the start of the season due to yet another ankle injury.
Recent injury trouble continues
The Birmingham born centre half and former England under-19 international has proven to be a popular member of the Welsh club's back line since arriving from Coventry City in 2011, chalking up 110 appearances and scoring on three occasions.
However persistent ankle problems have blighted Turner recently, with the latest setback being his third in the space of the last year after twisting an ankle in a pre-season fixture against Yeovil Town in July 2014, before being the victim of a poor tackle in an FA Cup tie with Reading.
It was originally thought that this particular injury would see Turner ruled out for the remainder of the 2014/15 season, however a rigorous rehabilitation program saw him return to the side for the final fixture of the season, a 2-1 victory away to Nottingham Forest.
It is thought that Turner may require a similar style of program to ensure that he regains a place in the Cardiff line-up as quickly as possible.
Slade speaks on setback
It has been confirmed that the defender's latest injury was sustained in a training session and when talking with the press, Slade stated that "it's bitterly disappointing for Ben."
Slade also confirmed that Turner has had a "minor operation that will rule him out for a few weeks." The manager admitted that the club "are not sure of the exact timescale" regarding how long he will be on the sidelines, but that they "want him back playing as soon as possible."
Manager to re-think team for start of season
The absence of Turner now causes Slade a large selection headache ahead of the season's opener at home to Fulham on Saturday 8 August.
It was expected by many sources close to Slade and the Cardiff City dressing room that Turner would have been one of the name's on the first team sheet of the campaign.
However, the loss means Bruno Manga, Sean Morrison, Matt Connolly and Semi Ajayi will now be the challengers for the two centre-back berths, and all four men will be keen to step up their efforts for the remainder of the pre-season programme to sufficiently impress Slade to warrant a place in the side against Fulham.