Cardiff City manager Steve Morison has confirmed that left-back Jamilu Collins, a player he regards as the best in the league in his position, has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.
Collins left the field in the ninth minute of Cardiff’s 0-0 draw at West Brom on Wednesday putting his participation for Sunday’s Severnside Derby in serious doubt but the Bluebirds worst fears have been revealed far beyond his availability for that game, with the Nigerian defender set for an operation next week.
Collins had been ever-present in the revamped Cardiff defence and made a significant impact in his three Championship appearances since arriving in the summer from Germany club Paderborn.
"We won’t see him again until next season," Morison told Wales Online. "It's gutting for the lad. Really gutting. We are all here for him. We are going to make the next year the best it can possibly be for him.
"It’s the worst-case scenario. We will try and get him back for pre-season next year. One thing we do know is we will have one hell of a left-back next season."
Morrison now has a decision to make as to who to field on the left side of his defence for the weekend clash at Ashton Gate with winger Callum O’Dowda filling in for Collins at the Hawthorns but the likelihood is the former Robins player will be required further up the field.
The task could therefore fall on academy talent Joel Bagan, who is a specialist in the position and started 22 matches last season.
"There is a big possibility that Joel might fill in at left-back!" Morison added. "JC has been outstanding. He has to be ready and step up in a huge game on Sunday.
"I think it’s wrong for us to sit here and say we were going to rely on Joel for the whole season. JC was an unknown quantity in the Championship, but we knew it would be good to see them go toe to toe with each other.
"We have had to wait, but on the plus side he played for the Under-21s on Tuesday. We know he is a good player and he is ready and raring to go."
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