FULHAM boss Marco Silva said Reiss Nelson could be out for the rest of the season after hamstring surgery.
On-loan Arsenal winger hadn’t played since December but was closing in on a return only to pick up the injury in his other leg.
Nelson, 25, made twelve appearances and scored twice for the Cottagers.
“It’s a really tough moment for us,” Silva said. “Of course, first of all, for the player, we feel really sorry for him, because he worked really hard to be back after the first hamstring injury.
“It was a moment that we all were excited about him coming back, because he was really important for us before the injury last December. He did so, so well, and we know that in his best level he is capable to help us to win football matches and to be stronger.
“Himself, us, all of us were excited about him, and when he was really ready to be in contention again for the game, he felt the other hamstring in the other leg. Not the same injury, completely different injury in the other leg.
“He got surgery there, and could be out until the end of the season. I don’t want to give a timescale that is 100 per cent sure, but it could be out until the end of the season, unfortunately for him, and for us.
“It’s a big blow for us, definitely. He was really unlucky with these two injures in a short period of time, and long-term injures, unfortunately for him.
“When he was ready and was there, you can feel his quality, and you can see that he’s a player that fits really well, understood well what we need from him.
“Very good guy, good lad, and another one that makes our dressing room be at the level that I like to see, and the environment and the friendship that’s inside.”
Silva was asked if Fulham would be interested in a permanent deal for the winger in the summer. He replied: “It’s too early [to say]. I’ve really enjoyed having him with us. He fits us very well, good lad. He’s not our player, let’s not focus on that, let’s focus on supporting him.”
On his instagram showing him in his hospital bed, Nelson posted: “Life and football are all about setbacks and comebacks. This one hurts, but it’s just part of the journey.
“Surgery went well, I’m focused and determined to return stronger than ever.”
Fulham host Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Cottagers are four points off fifth and five points off the Champions League places.
“I want the fans to be confident,” Silva said when asked about his ambitions for the rest of the season. “We can fight in any game to be competitive. They recognise our quality. We are going to fight really hard to achieve something at the end of the season. For sure we are going to fight.”
