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Watford defender Joel Ekstrand out for nine months with knee injury

Nottingham Forest's Britt Assombalonga holds off Watford's Joel Ekstrand
Image: Joel Ekstrand: Set to undergo surgery on knee injury

Watford defender Joel Ekstrand is facing up to nine months out after suffering cruciate ligament damage.

The 26-year-old Sweden international suffered the injury in the first half of Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Ipswich and needs surgery to repair the problem in his left knee.

Ekstrand, who has made 25 appearances for the Hornets this season,

is unlikely to return to the pitch in 2015.

Head of medical Richard Collinge told the club's official website: "He caught his studs in the turf and has damaged his cruciate ligament in his left knee.

"He'll have surgery in a week or so's time, then it's rehab after that. The feeling for this type of injury is around the nine months mark to get back."

Meanwhile Collinge has confirmed that Fernando Forestieri has returned to full training following a knock while Almen Abdi will return to outdoor running on Wednesday after a hamstring problem.

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