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Bad news this morning if you're a fan of Alex Pritchard. Tottenham Hotspur announced today via twitter that the dynamic young midfielder has had ankle surgery and is out until January, 2016 at the earliest.
We can confirm that @pritch_93 has undergone surgery on his right ankle - http://t.co/HuePHXIoJs pic.twitter.com/KvcgYlwt6Z
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 9, 2015
The expected recovery and rehabilitation is likely to see him return to training in the new year. pic.twitter.com/m62wK9fgpU
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 9, 2015
This ankle injury, as you may or may not recall, is the same one that Pritchard picked up this summer against Sweden in the U21 EURO Championships. Pritch was coming off a fantastic season in the Championship on loan at Mark Warburton's Brentford that saw the recently promoted side make the playoffs. Pritchard was one of the Bees' best players and Mauricio Pochettino was on record as saying that he was in Tottenham's plans for this season.
But despite making a substitute appearance against Everton late in August and a few stints with Spurs' U21 side, the ankle ligament damage apparently did not heal properly. This is super frustrating for everyone, but especially Pritchard, and this could easily turn into a "lost season" like what Kyle Walker had a couple of years ago.
Best wishes to Pritch as he recovers.