Millwall: Tristan Crama issues emotional update | OneFootball

Tristan Crama has sent an emotional message to Millwall fans after suffering another ankle injury in the friendly win over Antwerp on Saturday.

Millwall defender Tristan Crama has vowed to come back ‘stronger’ after suffering a second ankle injury in a matter of months.

The 24-year-old was outstanding for the Lions last season as they finished third in the Championship last season, with his performances making him arguably one of the best in the league in his position.

However, Crama was forced off late on in the play-off semi-final defeat to Hull, which meant he missed the start of pre-season.

Millwall’s Tristan Crama reacts to fresh injury blow

Crama’s first appearance in pre-season came as a sub against Bromley in late July, and he was then included in the starting XI against Antwerp on Saturday.

But, the defender was replaced at half-time, with Alex Neil then confirming after the game that the injury issue was worse than they had anticipated.

And, whilst the full extent of the injury hasn’t been disclosed, it seems apparent that Crama is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, as he took to Instagram to share a picture after surgery on his ankle.

“79 (days) between two surgeries. It’s hard to accept after everything it took to get back but I’ve done it once and I’ll do it again. Thanks for all your messages and support; I will be back stronger.”

Tristan Crama will be sorely missed by Millwall

Firstly, you have huge sympathy for Crama, as he played in every game last season, so he will have been disappointed to miss the start of pre-season, but in his head he would’ve been targeting the first game of the campaign to play.

Now, that’s not going to happen, so it’s a setback for Crama mentally, but his message suggests that he is already fully focused on his recovery.

As for Millwall, there’s no denying that this is a massive blow, as Crama was one of the standout players in the Championship last season, which is why he made the Team of the Year.

So, it’s a concern, and whilst it’s not the same ankle he injured against Hull, it will be a worry that he has now suffered two problems in a short space of time.

It remains to be seen whether this impacts Millwall’s priorities in the transfer market, and it’s a dilemma for the Lions, as if they do bring in a replacement for Crama, the likelihood is they will be out of the team when he returns.

Equally so, they need to ensure they have enough quality cover, as depth was an issue for Millwall during the run-in last season as they chased promotion, so it’s about finding the right balance, particularly as Crama is equally capable as a centre-back and at right-back.

Ultimately, it’s on the recruitment team to decide on that, and their record in the past few windows means the fans will have faith in whichever route the club goes down.

It’s a shame for Crama that he is in this position, but these things happen in football, and he will be backing his teammates to get off to a perfect start, with Millwall facing QPR in the League Cup on Saturday, before they travel to Bristol City on the opening day of the Championship on August 15.