FC Schalke 04: Weston McKennie will be out until February

FC Schalke 04 are missing several key players going into the home stretch of 2019, and Weston McKennie became the latest casualty after suffering a serious injury in the win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Weston McKennie started another game at center back for FC Schalke 04 on Matchday 15 due to another absence from Matija Nastasic, who is still suffering from a knee injury.

But McKennie went down with an injury of his own. He went up for a header and came down hard. The Schalke midfielder needed to be stretchered off the field, and fans at the Veltins Arena immediately understood the gravity of the situation.

The American dislocated his shoulder on the play, and David Wagner has informed reporters that the versatile midfielder and defender will be out until February with the injury.

Per Schalke’s official site, the team and the player have decided to manage his injury conservatively, as they are aiming to avoid surgery for McKennie.

The injury is a tough blow for Schalke, as McKennie joins center backs Benjamin Stambouli and Salif Sane as multi-month injuries. While Stambouli could return to the starting lineup before McKennie’s February timetable, Sane will be out for even longer.

McKennie’s injury hurts Schalke’s depth in midfield and at center back, where Ozan Kabak is currently the only healthy man at the position. Depending on Nastasic’s recovery and Stambouli’s progression from his broken foot, the Royal Blues could look for a veteran center back on the winter transfer market. Former star man Naldo, who currently plays at Monaco, is always a valid option for the club.

We can only wish McKennie a full and swift recovery from this dislocated shoulder. It’s a serious injury, and it was a scary moment to see him down on the ground and in pain on Sunday. McKennie is such an important part of the Royal Blues team because of his hard work, versatility, high character, and individual talent. He’ll be missed in the lineup.