Joel Campbell is upset over his recent problems with injuries, according to Betis manager Quique Setién.

Campbell, currently on loan at Real Betis, picked up a knee injury over the summer that sidelined him for a couple of months. When he eventually made the return to first-team action with Betis, he did it in dramatic fashion, scoring one, assisting another and helping to create a third in 13 minutes.

But before even completing 90 minutes in the league for his loan club, Joel fell injured again, this time with a sprained ankle, reportedly. Apparently there is also some discomfort in his knee left over from the summer operation, adding to his problems.

Coach Setién poetically explained the scenario to the Costa Rican press: “The situation takes time. This is like water, we all want it to rain, but it does not rain, and we have to wait.

“He is quite affected, because he is having a lot of difficulties this year with injuries. It is not easy for a footballer to accept situations of this kind in which he can not play or train because of problems that are not solved.

“He is sad and really affected.”

If there is still pain in his knee as reported, Setién is right to suggest that the best way to deal with the situation is to give it time. There’s no point rushing Joel back to action when the ankle problem clears up if the knee issue is just going to lead to further injuries a week later.

But with Joel performing so well when he has been available, it must be tempting.

Unfortunately, as with the work permit issues, injuries and selection issues in the past, the player is still finding it difficult to put a run together and prove himself consistently.