Gavin Bazunu out for nine to ten months with Achilles injury

Republic of Ireland and Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu will be sidelined for 'nine to ten months' after it was confirmed that he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Bazunu hobbled out of the warm-up session prior to Southampton's 3-0 Championship win over Preston North End during the week.

Initial fears that the goalkeeper had suffered an Achilles tendon injury have been confirmed and the damage done is at the higher end of the scale, ruling him out of his club's promotion run-in and a good part of next season too.

Southampton manager Russell Martin revealed that Bazunu has undergone surgery on the injury and is now at the start of a long rehabilitation process.

"He's ruptured his Achilles tendon so it was as bad as we feared," Russell said. "He will be out for around 9 to 10 months.

"I spoke to him before the operation and he wasn't in a good place but last night he was way more positive. We will rally behind him. We’re really devastated for Gav. But he’ll get through it and be stronger for it. We look forward to seeing him on Monday.

"Gavin has had a huge setback, there will be some dark and lonely moments over the next 10 months. We will support him and get around him."

Bazunu - who has been in tremendous form for promotion-chasing Southampton - will miss Ireland's friendly internationals in June against Hungary and Portugal and will also be out for the entirety of the Nations League campaign.