Ben Cabango: Wales and Swansea City defender out of World Cup play-off final
- Published
Cardiff-born Swansea City defender Ben Cabango has won four caps for Wales
Wales defender Ben Cabango will miss June's World Cup play-off final with an ankle ligament injury.
Cabango, 21, is expected to be sidelined until pre-season after a challenge from former team-mate Jamal Lowe during Swansea City's draw with Bournemouth.
The centre-back made 39 Swansea appearances in the 2021-22 season.
"Ben has undergone a small operation," Swansea head coach Russell Martin told the club website.
"Rather than leave it, they've decided to operate on it now in case we leave it and he needs one further down the line."
Academy product Cabango, who flourished under Martin after a difficult start to the season, had surgery on Monday after seeing a specialist.
Cabango suffered the injury during Swansea's 3-3 draw with Bournemouth on 26 April, playing on for a while after Lowe's challenge before limping off early in the second half.
As well as the World Cup play-off, Cabango will miss four Nations League fixtures as he eyes a comeback at some point during pre-season with his club.
"I don't know how he played on with the extent of the injury," Martin said.
"He has been outstanding and improved so much and was in a great place.
"It will be tough for him to miss out this summer because of what is at stake for Wales.
"It's a blow for him, for us and for Wales, but he has to make sure he rests and recuperates and comes back fit and firing."
Wales face either Scotland or Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium on 5 June with a place at the Qatar World Cup at stake.
Robert Page's side also play Nations League games against Poland, Belgium and at home and away against the Netherlands during the June international window.
Swansea are due to report for pre-season in training in mid-June, with the new Championship season beginning on 30 July.
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