Tom Heaton: gone

[Drummond]

He's 34 in April and facing up to a year out, it's not a massive leap to think it could be a big probem for him.

Keepers go on until they're 40.

He's had one other serious injury, which was his shoulder a couple of years ago, so there's no history of him having related issues.

[PeterWithesShin]

No one is saying that's his career over, but it's not a leap to think at his age and the seriousness of the injury that there's the potential for it to be a big problem. Plus he's a Villa player, so we expect the worst with how it goes for us injury wise.

[darren woolley]

Another bad injury from an important player for us I hope Tom a speedy recovery.

[Nunkin1965]

Best wishes on a full recovery to one of the games nice guys.

[manic-road]

Gutted about Tom, he's a quality keeper and losing him will definitely weaken the team.

[hilts_coolerking]

Gutted about Tom, he's a quality keeper and losing him will definitely weaken the team.

Yep, we're lucky we have decent back up but they're plainly not as good as Heaton.

[wozwebs]

We'd be rock bottom had it not been for Heaton. Gutted about this. Let's hope Nyland can step up.

[brian green]

He can.  And Jed is only 3 weeks away.

[Damo70]

He can.  And Jed is only 3 weeks away.

That is good news. With Heaton out Steer is our best keeper.

[chrisw1]

He can.  And Jed is only 3 weeks away.

That is good news. With Heaton out Steer is our best keeper.

I wouldn't be so sure about that.  Nyland looks impressive so far this season and seems well up for it.

[Monty]

Let's hope Steer/Nyland can step up but on paper this looks a disaster, on form one of the best keepers in the country and now out for the season.

[Toronto Villa]

It’s now Nyland’s job to lose. None of us could have imagined that a year ago when he first arrived. But so far in the little we’ve seen of him he’s looked a lot more confident and he clearly has outstanding shot stopping ability. And when you look at someone Gollini who was written off so quickly yet is now playing CL football, shows how quickly things change.  It would be great to see if Nyland now takes his chance. Steer when back will push him all the way. Good luck to him.

[AsTallAsLions]

It’s now Nyland’s job to lose. None of us could have imagined that a year ago when he first arrived. But so far in the little we’ve seen of him he’s looked a lot more confident and he clearly has outstanding shot stopping ability. And when you look at someone Gollini who was written off so quickly yet is now playing CL football, shows how quickly things change.  It would be great to see if Nyland now takes his chance. Steer when back will push him all the way. Good luck to him.

Indeed. Good luck to both.

Heaton is a top quality keeper and I advocated for him over Butland when first rumoured in the summer and was delighted we brought him in.

But, sadly, the injury is what it is, and we can't even blame an opposition player as in the case of the Wesley rupture. It's just one of those freak things that happens. So much has gone wrong lately but we really can't afford to dwell on it.

I'm hoping our outfield recruitment in January really strengthens us. I reckon the rest of the season is now 90% down to confidence amongst the players. Smith and his staff must do everything they can to keep morale up and keep heads from dropping, because as we've seen that's when we start to freefall.

[AsTallAsLions]

Great to see this man back in full training again.

Must say that's a big lift for us, provided he's more or less 100% for the start of the season.

Perhaps Dean will ease him back in - either way, a great sight to see.

[Dr Butler]

agreed...Reina was OK, but I would of preferred Tom in goals.

UTV
The Doc