Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson could miss rest of Fulham season after surgery, admits Marco Silva | OneFootball

Gunners winger has undergone operation after latest hamstring problem

Sidelined: Injured Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson may not play again for Fulham this season after surgery

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Reiss Nelson’s second hamstring injury of the season could rule him out for the rest of Fulham's campaign, manager Marco Silva has revealed.

In contention to return for the FA Cup win over Wigan earlier this month, Nelson then sustained a hamstring injury in the other leg, and Silva admits his season could be over already.

Nelson shared a photo on social media earlier this week, revealing his recent surgery had gone well. Among those to offer their support were his Arsenal team-mates Bukayo Saka - also currently recovering from hamstring surgery - and Declan Rice.

It remains to be seen whether Nelson will play for Fulham again, as there are currently no wheels in motion for his loan move to be made permanent once it expires this summer. His current Arsenal contract has two years left to run with the option for another.

“First of all, for the player, we feel really sorry for him,” Silva said. “He worked really hard to be back after the first hamstring injury.

“It was a moment we were all excited about, because he was really important before the injury. In his best moment, he is capable of helping us win football matches.

Reiss Nelson in hospital after undergoing hamstring surgery

Reiss Nelson/Instagram

“When he was ready to be in contention again for the game [against Wigan], he felt it in the other hamstring, in the other leg. Not the same injury, a completely different injury.

“He got surgery there, and he could be out until the end of the season. I don’t want to give a timescale to you that is 100 per cent sure, but he could be out until the end of the season unfortunately for him and for us.”

Asked whether Fulham will look to sign Nelson permanently, Silva insisted: “It’s too early to talk about this situation now. I have really enjoyed having him with us. You can feel his quality, and he’s a player that has understood well what we need from him.”

Eighth-place Fulham host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, having beaten their London rivals 2-0 at Selhurst Park in the reverse fixture in November. Sasa Lukic was taken off as an injury precaution in their win over Nottingham Forest last weekend, but the Serbian is available against Palace.

“[We have] no fresh injuries, and hopefully until tomorrow nothing new as well,” said Silva. “Sasa is going to be ready to be in contention to play the game. The same three are out: Kenny Tete, Harry Wilson and Reiss Nelson.

“He [Lukic] has been great. He’s a player that we really believed and trusted when he joined our football club that he was going to be really important for us.

“Two seasons ago, he joined in January. We wanted to get some time with him until the next season. It was a good moment for him to adapt, and he’s been great.

“He’s a versatile player and gives us the physicality that we need in that area of the pitch. Great season from him so far.”