American defender Packwood breaks leg in FA Cup

American defender Packwood breaks leg in FA Cup

Published Jan. 5, 2013 11:37 p.m. ET

American defender Will Packwood broke his left leg Saturday playing for English club Birmingham in the FA Cup and will miss the rest of the season.

The 19-year-old Packwood was stretchered off at Leeds after landing awkwardly on the leg following a collision with Luciano Becchio during the 1-1 draw in the third round.

''The early diagnosis is a break to both the fibula and tibia,'' Birmingham manager Lee Clark said.

''His young teammates and friends were distraught on the pitch, in tears,'' he added.

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Saturday's match at Leeds was Packwood's seventh appearance of the season.

''We will give him as much care and support as possible and have him back fit and strong for next season,'' Clark said.

Packwood, from Concord, Mass., moved to England as a 15-year-old and rose through second-tier club Birmingham's academy before earning a two-year professional contract in 2011.

''We've lost a good young player who's a magnificent kid,'' Clark said. ''We love him to bits at the football club. He's so honest and genuine and he's a good pro.''

Packwood, who has an English father and American mother, has played for the United States youth teams.

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