Michael Cooper: Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper out for up to 10 weeks
- Published
Michael Cooper had kept three clean sheets in nine appearances for Argyle this season
Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper will be out for up to 10 weeks after injuring knee ligaments.
The 24-year-old has strained the medial cruciate ligament in his left knee in training, just two months after recovering from tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Cooper has been told he will not need surgery on the injury.
"It's his second long-term injury in quick succession and he's a talent," director of football Neil Dewsnip said.
"That's really difficult for him and it's disappointing for everybody else, supporters and staff alike."
Cooper had played just nine times this season after returning to fitness in October, keeping three clean sheets before missing their past two games with a dead leg.
He was out for nine months after seriously injuring his other knee in February, in a game at Sheffield Wednesday.
Michael Cooper played 31 times for the Pilgrims last season before injuring his knee
Northern Ireland international Conor Hazard has been deputising for Cooper, with Callum Burton as his back-up.
"The good news is we've still got two very good goalkeepers that I am very comfortable with, and the players are comfortable with Conor and Callum, so that's the good news," said Dewsnip.
He added: "He's [Cooper] obviously really disappointed.
"He's been to see people, he knows exactly where he stands, he knows what the injury is, what the length of time is.
"He knows he doesn't need surgery and I suppose the upside again is, having just gone through a long-term injury, he knows what he's going to have to go through again, so he's OK."