It may not be all doom and gloom for Theo Walcott as a Scottish surgeon, Gordon Mackay, has said that he could help Walcott be fit in time for the World Cup in Brazil.
Arsenal had ruled Walcott out for the rest of the season and the world showpiece in Brazil but if Walcott and the club agree to Mackay’s procedure then we could see the Arsenal winger at the World Cup.
Mackay’s says he can get Walcott playing again in as little as four months by using a pioneering piece of equipment. The surgeon predicts that by using an internal brace, Walcott could run again in as little as 12 weeks. The joys of modern technology!
In a nutshell, the procedure would involve a device being inserted into Walcott’s knee, which Mackay says would instantly stabilise the joint and allow the forward to begin his rehabilitation sooner. This would allow the ruptured ligament to re-attach itself naturally to the bone and Walcott could progressively increase his workload.
Mackay said: ‘Arsenal will have their plans in place for Theo Walcott’s recovery and these are always sensitive issues. But we would like to inform the club of this different approach.’
Walcott is meant to have his operation in two weeks time but Mackay plans to speak to Arsenal before then and see if he can try help.
I say that Arsenal should go for it, especially since Mackay has helped other athletes recover quicker before. It is a shame that he will not be ready to play for Arsenal again this season but it would be a great boost for the nation to have him in Brazil.