Karl Hein could well be out for the season through injury, with the Arsenal loan goalkeeper expected to miss six weeks of action.
Spanish outlet AS report that Karl Hein’s injury with Estonia is expected to keep him out for five or six weeks, with the player suffering a “grade two acromioclavicular joint injury”. In other words, a shoulder injury.
Hein is expected to miss at least Real Valladolid’s next five matches, with only a possibility of returning to action for the final two or three games of the current campaign.
But AS don’t seem optimistic, suggesting the goalkeeper is practically saying farewell to this season.
Perhaps it’s not just the injury that could end Hein’s season early, but the fact his replacement will get a run in the team for the next month or so.
By the time Hein is back, Real Valladolid are unlikely to have anything to play for, with relegation already almost confirmed.
From the club’s point of view, it may not be worth starting Hein in dead-rubber matches when he’s only going back to Arsenal at the end of the season anyway. They could give those minutes to somebody who might be around for 2025/26.
Before this injury, Hein had played every single league fixture for Real Valladolid this season, as well as one of their three Copa del Rey games. It would be a shame if injury robs him of the chance to complete the season with his loan club.