Alcaraz injury blow for Latics

Alcaraz injury blow for Latics

Published Aug. 24, 2011 3:15 p.m. ET

Alcaraz suffered the injury during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Swansea City and he was forced off during the first half at the Liberty Stadium. It was the Paraguayan's first appearance of the season after playing in the Copa America and he was pressed into action due to injuries elsewhere in defence. The 29-year-old now faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines and Martinez is keeping his fingers crossed that Alcaraz can make a speedy recovery. Careful Martinez said: "We're hoping he'll only be out for six or seven weeks, but the worst-case scenario is two months, maybe even three. "You have to be very, very careful when it comes to soft-tissue injuries, because if you come back too early you are risking further damage, it is a major, major blow for us and we are going to miss Antolin badly over the next few weeks. "On the plus side, Antolin is a very fit boy with a very strong character, which gives you hope he'll be back sooner rather than later but it is a major, major blow for us. "All we can do now is help Antolin to recover fully and make sure he is back fit and raring to go for the remaining two-thirds of the season."

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