Barrow forward Offrande Zanzala is facing a significant spell out of the game after joining Exeter City on loan.
The 25-year-old Congolese striker, who had scored on his debut for the Grecians against Scunthorpe, suffered an injury early in his second appearance at Walsall.
There is damage to his knee cartilage after jarring the joint in an innocuous incident just minutes Into last week’s 2-0 win.
Zanzala is seeing a knee specialist today but manager Matt Taylor is already fearing the worst for his unfortunate new recruit.
Taylor told the club website: “We are waiting for news from the specialist but early indications are that he will be out for a significant period of time.
“It’s a cartilage issue and he is seeing a specialist and that is all I can say right now, but it is more than likely going to be a significant period and if it is weeks, then I will be surprised.
“We don’t have a definite, but a specialist and surgeon will make that decision and we might not fully know until they go into the knee, so the fact he needs an operation of some sort suggests it will be a period of time.”
Zanzala hade been loaned out by Barrow to Exeter to regain his form and confidence and he certainly played a huge part in the 2-0 win over Scunthorpe. He quickly endeared himself with a goal and his all-action display and was given a standing ovation when he was replaced late in the game.
Taylor added: “First and foremost, you think of the player before you think of the team and yourself. It’s a real shame because we all saw what he was like on his debut and the connection he had with the fans and the team.
“We saw him as a real asset and someone we could work with moving forward and it wasn’t even a challenge, he just jarred his knee under no contact and to come out in this scenario is a real shame for the lad.
“But he has to think about the longevity of his career and the next couple of years in terms of his football, make the right decision for him and we will support him as best we can. It is certainly not ideal, but this is part and parcel of football.
“It’s a real kick in the teeth, I can’t deny that. We felt Ozzy fit really well in terms of the way we play and what we wanted and the benefit he would give to the team. Now we are looking for a suitable replacement.”
