Kenny Tete will be out for at least eight weeks because of an injury that forced him out of Fulham’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool on December 14, Cottagers coach Marco Silva said.
Former Netherlands international Tete started 14 of Fulham’s 15 Premier League games before colliding with Reds defender Joe Gomez in the second half at Anfield, leaving Silva describing his long absence as ‘not good news’. designated.
“The impact on his shin in that moment was clear to anyone watching the game on television,” Silva said. “That heavy hit and tackle had a knock on his knee and he will be out for a long time.”
“He doesn’t need any surgery or anything like that but he won’t be able to attend the sessions for at least eight to 10 weeks. After that, it will take longer for him to be ready to help us like he really did.”
Bring the festive events. 👊 pic.twitter.com/ywozP5GGPL
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 20, 2024
Fulham: Tete “powerful”
Fulham took the lead twice against the leaders and were unbeaten in their fourth game after suffering one defeat in nine games to move to eighth place in the table.
Belgian international Timothy Castagne, whose season Silva described as “impressive” last season with 29 appearances in 34 league appearances, will replace Tete.
“It’s a big blow, there’s no doubt about it,” Silva said. “(It’s) not at all because Timothy isn’t at that level – Timothy is a really good right-back for us and he showed that last season and he’s shown it (during) his career.”
“(Castagne) came to our football club (in August 2023) and when he first got the position he didn’t give Kenny Tete a chance last season.
“This season was a bit of the opposite because Timothy Castagne came back a bit late (from Euro 2024) and Kenny had a very good pre-season and is performing so well.”
Naija boys. 🦅 pic.twitter.com/wkObamgH68
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 20, 2024
Silva: Castagne “has complete trust”
“It will be a time for Timothy to show his quality again,” Silva added. “He is more than ready for it and he has our full trust. In addition, he has the quality to do it in a very good way.
“They are different football players but they are two very good right-backs and we are really comfortable with that situation. But of course I would rather have both than just one.”
Fulham face bottom-placed Southampton at home on Sunday (2pm GMT), who are reportedly close to naming former Roma coach Ivan Juric as Russell Martin’s replacement.
Martin was sacked following the Saints’ 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, leaving them nine points from safety after their 13th defeat in 16 league games.
