Linfield are set to be without Chris Shields for the rest of the season after the midfielder tore his ACL
David Healy says he has no doubt Chris Shields will come back “fitter and stronger” after the Linfield talisman was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
The Blues announced before their 3-0 win over Bangor on Friday evening that the experienced midfielder suffered a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in last week’s victory over Glenavon.
Healy labelled the news “shattering” but said the club would give Shields all the support he needs to aid his recovery.
“We will look after Chris and I have no doubt he will come back fitter and stronger and pull on the blue shirt with pride, which I know he does,” said the Linfield boss.
“As a club we always rally around. We’ve had some really traumatic situations we’ve had to deal with in recent years.
“It’s gutting, shattering. It’s always the way when somebody gets a long-term injury in the way Chris has.
“Chris has been instrumental in the success we’ve had at this football club. On and off the pitch, he’s a leader.
“People like Kyle McClean, Kirk Millar, Jamie Mulgrew, you can’t just go and pluck them out of somewhere, it takes time, experience and quality.
“Chris Shields will be back, I have no doubt, he will be determined, but for the short-term period, it’s desperate news for me as manager and the players in the dressing room, but more importantly for Chris, his family and everybody in his circle, it’s shattering news.”
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