Sandesh Jhingan undergoes cheekbone surgery, ruled out for 4–6 weeks

Indian international played most of the Iran game with a fractured cheekbone

Sandesh Jhingan underwent successful cheekbone surgery in Goa on Thursday evening after sustaining a fracture during the Iran match. The FC Goa centre-back flew back, went in for further scans, and club doctors advised immediate intervention to avoid any additional damage.

Per those aware of the situation, the recommended rehab timeline is four to six weeks. That sidelines Jhingan for FC Goa’s AFC Champions League Two group opener against Al Zawraa on September 17, and makes him a major doubt for the second game away to FC Istiklol on October 1.

“Sandesh Jhingan has undergone successful cheekbone surgery. Doctors have advised a 4–6 week rehab, which rules him out of FC Goa’s first match of ACL2 game and makes him a major doubt for India’s twin Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Singapore,” a source tracking the development told Khel Now.

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A post shared by Sandesh Jhingan (@sandesh21jhingan)

India head coach Khalid Jamil will also be sweating on his fitness for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Singapore on October 9 and 14.

 “I’ve never seen a player as brave as Sandesh. Even with the injury, he kept playing in the last match. Not many players can do that. He’s a great motivator on and off the pitch for the others. It’s difficult to find a replacement for him”, said Khalid Jamil after the match against Iran.

Jhingan will begin a structured recovery programme immediately. He could return to light, individual work earlier to maintain base fitness, but a return to competitive action is expected only after the medical team clears contact training. Given the nature of the injury, he will be reviewed weekly to track bone healing and facial protection options before any minutes are considered.

The 31-year-old was Player of the Match in India’s CAFA Nations Cup opener against Tajikistan and then battled through most of the Iran game while carrying the fracture. It was a risk; a second impact in the same area could have complicated things further. The decision to operate quickly should shorten the layoff and reduce longer-term risk.

Jhingan has come back from serious setbacks before, including an ACL rupture, and each time has worked his way back into form. FC Goa and India will hope for the same again: a clean recovery, a protective mask if needed, and a timely return for a busy autumn schedule.

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