Influential defensive midfielder Elliot Bonds is set for a spell on the sidelines following an ankle ligament injury, reports Journalist Jon Palmer.
Bonds, who originally joined Cheltenham Town on loan from Hull City in the summer of 2020, made a positive impact on the Gloucestershire side. However, shortly into the 2020/21 campaign, the Guyanese international ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (also known as ACL) in a fixture against Scunthorpe United.
This was a huge blow for the youngster who was experiencing his first taste of professional football. The following summer and on the back of the Robins title winning campaign, Bonds clearly made a statement in his short spell as he agreed a two-year deal at Whaddon Road following the expiry of his contract with The Tigers.
Capped 15 times by Guyana, the former Dagenham & Redbridge youngster has quickly established himself as a fans-favourite amongst Cheltenham fans. An enforcer, the 23-year-old can often go under the radar despite doing the dirty work in the middle of the park.
Bonds’ main attributes consist of breaking up the play, being able to recover the ball quickly, reassuring his teammates with his composure on the ball alongside his ability to strike from distance.
The recent signing of Tom Pett suggests that this injury may be a lengthy one. Recovery time usually varies from 10-12 weeks. Forward George Lloyd picked up a similar injury in pre-season and only returned to the squad for match-day 14.
The Gloucestershire side travel to South London on Saturday to take on AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup First Round.
Writer’s View
One of Cheltenham’s ever-present performers over their tenure in League One, this is a significant blow for the Robins. Elliot Bonds offers something completely different to the likes of Curtis Thompson and Liam Sercombe.
Darrell Clarke will be scratching his head as he looks to keep the points ticking over in hopes of turning what has been a woeful season around. Without his star-studded midfielder, the job has only just got harder.
