Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie has admitted he’s been in contact with Brentford’s Antoni Ilambo about his serious knee injury.
FR-Fans cover comments from the Feyenoord boss today from his press conference. The Brentford midfielder’s injury was put to him in that.
Milambo was stretchered off for the Dutch U21s during the international break after suffering a knee injury which reports said left him screaming on the floor.
Early reports indicated that he was set for a long-term absence. That was later confirmed by Brentford, who revealed he had suffered a cruciate ligament injury that will see him spend months on the sidelines recovering.
It’s a major blow for the youngster, who joined Brentford from Feyenoord in the summer transfer window.
He had been slowly integrating himself into Keith Andrews’ plans, seeking to establish himself as a Premier League regular for the Bees. Now he’ll be forced to sit from the sidelines as Brentford move on without him.
The news has naturally been picked up on in the Netherlands. Van Persie admitted he had already sent the Brentford man a message.
“I sent him a message,” he said.
“I didn’t see the moment, but read about it. It’s terrible for him. Antoni is a strong boy. He’ll come out of this and come back even stronger. It’s clear that this is very disappointing for him right now.
“Although he will receive all the help, he needs from the people around him and from his club, I also told him that with us, the door is always open in every possible way. Antoni is and will always be a child of the club.”
