Ankle injury forces Sunil Chhetri out of Indian team for Jordan friendly

Although Chhetri was earlier named in coach Stephen Constantine's list of 30 probables for the match to be played at the King Abdullah II Stadium, the ankle injury will keep him out of action. The 34-year-old sustained the injury in the last game of his ISL side Bengaluru FC against Kerala Blasters on November 5 and the medical team of the club has asked him to take rest for around a couple of weeks. Komal Thatal has replaced the skipper in the squad. 

"The Bengaluru FC Medical Team have shared the MRI re🥃ports and medical assessments and we have scrutinised them thoroughly. Sunil needs rest of around two weeks and proper rehabilitation after which he can get back to training," said I▨ndian National Team physiotherapist Gigy George in a press release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

"He can't travel with this injury as it's a weight-bearing joint. He needs to have proper rest along with the rehab programme for a speedy recovery. We are closely monitoring the situation and following it up with the club medical team and Sunil himself," added Indian National Team Doct𒀰or Shervin Sheꦑriff.

In the absence of the senior pro, the Indian team management can test the young talents on the bench before the AFC Asian Cup in January. Players like Sumeet Passi, Farukh Choudhary, and Manvir Singh were selected in the 30-men probable squad by the head coach of the Indian team. Farukh and Sumee🐼t have found the back of the net while playing for the Jamshedpur FC team in ISL while Manvir scored a goal in the previous game against Kerala Blasters by coming as a substitute for his club FC Goa.