Kerala Blasters have confirmed that captain Jessel Carneiro suffered a shoulder injury towards the end of the Indian Super League match against Hyderabad FC on Sunday.
The left-back was stretchered off after a sliding tackle in the final minutes of the game led to him injuring his shoulder. The player was writhing in pain and was replaced by Sanjeev Stalin.
The 31-year-old Goan defender was taken to a hospital immediately.
“Further scans have been taken to better assess the severity of the injury,” said the club in a statement. But there are reports that Carneiro could have to undergo surgery, which would rule him out for a significant period of time.
The experienced full-back Nishu Kumar, who has not started any game this season and used only as a substitute, is expected to replace Carneiro, though the Blasters have a natural left-back in young Stalin.
The injury to the captain was the only disappointment for the team in an otherwise impressive 1-0 win over the in-form Hyderabad FC.
Alvaro Vazquez’s goal sent the Blasters to the top of the ISL table with 10 matches played.