Everton midfielder could miss ‘at least six months’ with knee injury

The news coming out from the Muhamed Besic camp is not looking positive for the player. The combative midfielder was injured during Wayne Rooney’s testimonial as Everton took on Manchester United. An inadvertent knee-on-knee collision with Morgan Schneiderlin left the Bosnian writhing on the turf, before he hobbled off soon after.

Bosnian media site Sportske Novosti is reporting that the player’s father Meho Besic told them that the injury was serious and that he would be on the sidelines for some time.

“I spoke with Muhammad. He was disappointed and just crushed because of injury. Hardly had dropped the whole situation. Good began preparations, but unfortunately no luck. I believe it will recover soon, God willing."

Besic, who had just been on the field for ten minutes at the time of his injury, looked to be in great pain and it looks likely that the ailment is of a torn ACL/MCL variety.

Rehabilitation and return to full fitness after surgery for an ACL tear can take six to nine months. The challenge is balancing trying to make a quick return by overdoing the required physical therapy and doing too little while resting the ligaments.

The player himself tweeted earlier this morning that he expected to be out for about six months.

While Ronald Koeman just completed the signing of Idrissa Gueye, Besic’s injury could force him to make another move to bolster the midfield. Alternatively, this could mean an extended run in the senior squad for youngster Tom Davies who has been impressive so far and just signed a new five-year contract.

Former Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta also ruptured his anterior ligament (ACL) in February 2009, but returned in January the next year. Current club captain Phil Jagielka has also missed time with a similar injury last season, eventually returning after close to three months out on the sidelines recovering from medial ligament (MCL) damage.

Meanwhile, Besic’s teammate Gerard Deulofeu has sent him a get well soon message -

In the last few minutes, manager Koeman has also confirmed the six month timeline in an interview on evertontv.

Story updated Friday August 5th at 10:45am EST