Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has detailed the extent of Evan Ferguson's ankle issues, saying that a previous operation had failed to completely solve the problem.
The Republic of Ireland striker suffered his latest injury setback in Roma's Europa League win over Stuttgart, Gasperini disclosing that Ferguson injured his ankle when twisting to avoid a photographer.
Ferguson has scored five goals for Roma, three of which came in Serie A, with two more in a 3-0 away win over Celtic in Europe. Gasperini has occasionally spoken critically of his Irish signing but struck a more understanding note when speaking about him ahead of their game against Cagliari on Monday.
Recurrent ankle injuries have been an issue for Ferguson for nearly three years, the first occurring when he was injured by a tackle from Liverpool's Fabinho in a Premier League game for Brighton. He recently missed the Republic of Ireland's triumphant November window with ankle problems.
"It's the fourth sprain he’s suffered," Gasperini said. "He was out for about a year with an ankle issue last year, so the situation has become a bit complicated. That’s what’s happened.
"We’re working to get him back on his feet, but every time he changes direction, the ankle seems to sprain.
"It’s one (ankle) or the other, but the one he had an operation on is the most problematic, which hasn’t completely solved the problem.
"We’re all working to try and fix the situation. From a psychological point of view, he’s not very pleased and is very depressed.
"We’re trying to help him recover and get him back on his feet. It’s not easy, because it takes 12 weeks each time. Last time he got hurt avoiding a photographer.
"Whenever he’s been available, he’s always played, but that’s part of the problem for this player.
"It’s gone better for him this year, last year he practically never played."
