Tom Carroll sidelined for six weeks with injury

The international break stinks. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Carroll was injured last Friday on international duty with the England U21 squad. The midfielder, currently on a season-long loan at Swansea City, now faces a layoff of up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage and might not play again for Swansea this season.

Carroll captained the side in England's 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic in Prague on Friday. Tom scored the winning goal for the Three Lions, but injured himself in the process and was substituted soon afterwards.

TAWMMY FREAKIN’ CARROLL RT @FA: GOAL! Tom Carroll opens the scoring! Czech Rep 0-1 @England U21s, 47 mins.

— Ledley King's Knees (@cartilagefree) March 27, 2015

NOOOOO RT @FA: Unfortunately, Carroll took a knock when scoring the goal and is now being replaced by Will Hughes. 53 minutes gone, 0-1.

— Ledley King's Knees (@cartilagefree) March 27, 2015

We here at Cartilage Free Captain love Tom Carroll (though he doesn't love us, seeing how he's now blocked @cartilagefree on Twitter). We've been tracking him for years now and have pegged him to be a future star for Tottenham. He was even our top youth prospect in our 2013 prospect rankings. Obviously, an injury such as this one is a major setback for young Tom.

Carroll is having a pretty good loan season with Swansea, making 18 appearances this season and looking pretty good in the process. This is Carroll's first significant season of top-level football after a series of loans to Football League sides in recent years. Swansea boss Garry Monk has admitted that he would love to sign him on a permanent basis. Many Spurs fans, however, would love to see Tom get a chance to make his mark on the Tottenham first team next season under Mauricio Pochettino.

Heal up, English Xavi! We need you!