Kerala Blasters confirm Sergio Cidoncha ruled out for extended duration

The Spaniard was a key cog of Kibu Vicuna's side this season.

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Kerala Blasters announced that Spanish midfielder Sergio Cidoncha will be ruled out of action for a considerably long period of time on Wednesday. The 30-year-old midfielder suffered an injury to his ankle during his side's game against Chennaiyin FC on last Sunday.

"Kerala Blasters can confirm that Sergio Cidoncha has sustained a high-grade ligament tear on both sides of his right ankle, during the goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC, on Sunday, November 29," the club's sporting director Karolis Skinkys said.

"The Spaniard developed pain and swelling immediately on-field following a tackle by the Chennaiyin FC defender Memo Moura. An MRI scan conducted on the injured ankle revealed the extent of his problem, and he is now expected to be out for an extended period of time. We are also consulting orthopaedic specialists on the scan reports and monitoring the player’s situation with the utmost care," he added.

Sergio Cidoncha had been one of the standout performers for Kerala Blasters in the 2020-21 season, playing 236 minutes across three matches. He also scored a goal and maintained a passing accuracy of over 78%. While he excelled in his primary role as an attacker for the Yellow Army, he made many defensive contributions as well for the team. In just three matches, he managed 16 tackles, two interceptions, one clearance and five blocks. He was also awarded the club's 'Best Player' award by the fans, following his heroics in the game against NorthEast United.

The 30-year-old began his ISL career in the 2018-19 season by playing for Jamshedpur FC. The following season, Sergio Cidoncha shifted base to Kerala Blasters, who decided to retain him over the course of the summer. The Spaniard has played 28 matches in the Indian top-flight so far, and has registered five goals and six assists in the competition.

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