Gernot Trauner clarifies knee injury concerns after going under the knife

Gernot Trauner has clarified the extent of his injury after Feyenoord’s statement confirming a “knee problem” will see the player have surgery led to confusion, in an interview with Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung.

Many widely reported the Austrian had suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury but the defender has since gone on record to clarify the surgery was for a meniscus injury on his knee and nothing to do with his ligaments.

He said: “Because of that wording [in the statement], many thought I might have a serious cruciate ligament injury. The club does not want to go into detail as long as there is no exact diagnosis, but in reality it is a meniscus injury.”

Trauner sustained the injury during a training session last Thursday. 

“Two days before Christmas I took a nasty step during training. I immediately felt something click. I wasn’t really in pain, but we did an MRI scan to be sure. Unfortunately, the outcome was that surgery would be the best decision.”

When that operation will take place, however, is not yet known. 

“We are still determining that. I’ve been trying to make an appointment for some time,” said the 30-year-old. 

“Such operations were not done around Christmas. The club doctor who performs such operations is on vacation. We’re trying to fix it. Hopefully it will work before the turn of the year.”

“I want to be back on the field within two to three months,” Trauner already looks ahead to his rehabilitation. 

“I am convinced that I will continue to play this season. I also said that to national coach Ralf Rangnick. But it must become clear during the operation what the exact damage is to my meniscus.”

GBeNeFN | Tom Phillips

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