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Pompey handed Kranjcar blow

27/08/2008

Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar has been ruled out for up to three months after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury.

The 24-year-old ruptured a ligament in the joint while on international duty with Croatia in a friendly match against Slovenia last week.

Kranjcar went under the knife at the Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke earlier today and the club have said they expect the playmaker to be out of action for at least two months.

In a statement, Portsmouth revealed he would wear a non-weight-bearing cast for the next three weeks before beginning rehabilitation work.

The news is a blow to Pompey boss Harry Redknapp, who has witnessed his FA Cup-winning side start the current Premier League season with back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Manchester United.

The loss of Kranjcar is especially galling for Redknapp, as his side have lacked creativity against both Champions League finalists and are yet to find the net this season.