Skull fracture rules Everton defender Keane out for a month

Dom Farrell

Skull fracture rules Everton defender Keane out for a month image

Everton have confirmed defender Michael Keane suffered a small hairline fracture of the skull during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Bournemouth but there are no other complications related to the injury.

Keane clashed heads with team-mate Idrissa Gueye during the closing stages of the match at the Vitality Stadium, having earlier scored his first Premier League goal for Everton.

The former Manchester United and Burnley player was admitted to Poole Hospital but the nature of his injury means he is expected to return to full training next month.

"The 25-year-old defender will be unable to engage in head contact for between three and four weeks, from which point he will be able to resume full training," read a statement on Everton's official website.

Keane expressed his appreciation for the well wishes that flooded his way following the incident, as well as to those who treated him in hospital.

“Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes and support," the England international said, in a statement shared on social media. 

“I’m okay but suffered a small hairline fracture of the skull which will heal itself and means I won’t be able to have any head contact for three to four weeks.

“I will be back with my team and back on the pitch as soon as I can after that.

“I also want to say a huge thank you to the medical staff at Everton and Bournemouth as well as all those at Poole Hospital for their excellent treatment and care.” 

Keane signed off his statement by turning his focus back to football, having got off the mark for the Toffees in the Premier League.

“I was so happy to get my first Premier League goal for Everton,” added the 25-year-old.

“I’m just gutted we didn’t take the three points, but we keep our unbeaten start going.”

Keane has been capped four times by England and joined Everton from Burnley for £30million in July 2017.

Dom Farrell

Dom Farrell Photo

Dom is the senior content producer for Sporting News UK. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Dom has covered major football events on location, including the entirety of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St Petersburg respectively, along with numerous high-profile Premier League, Champions League and England international matches. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside.