Report: Celtic-owned Eboue Kouassi suffers knee injury on loan with Genk

By David Walton

February 13, 2020

Celtic midfielder Eboue Kouassi has suffered yet another knee injury on loan with Genk, the Scottish Sun has reported.

Kouassi only joined the Belgian side in January after failing to play a game with the Hoops all season. He made his debut for them earlier this month with a five-minute outing against Charleroi.

The Sun has stated that teammate Theo Bongonda landed on him awkwardly in training, with the club fearing it was a recurrence of the cruciate ligament injury that kept Kouassi out last season.

Kouassi warming-up in Leipzig (Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

However, a hospital scan has revealed that it was a medial ligament injury. That means that Kouassi could be back in action in a month or so.

It’s a massive blow for the player, who’s been given four months to prove himself worthy of a permanent deal with the Belgian side (Metro). That means that, with his contract set to expire at Parkhead in 2021 (Transfermarkt), Celtic could rake a fee in for him if he impresses.

Injury won’t help his chances

When he recovers from his injury, Kouassi needs to get up to speed as soon as possible if he wants to bag that move in the summer. He’s effectively being robbed of one of those four months, leaving him on the back-foot early on.

It continues what’s been a desperately unlucky period for the Ivorian in recent times. Kouassi was just breaking into the Celtic team last season when he picked up his ACL tear against Hearts last November. He hasn’t played for us since.

It would be a real shame to see injuries halt him from making an impact at Genk as it did at Parkhead. Kouassi must be due a bit of luck.

Eboue Kouassi in training (Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)

Thankfully, if it is a month he’s out for, he’ll still have plenty of games in which to prove himself. Genk’s season doesn’t end until May, meaning that he’ll still have a couple of months to show the Belgian side what he’s all about.

If it doesn’t work out, Kouassi could be stuck in the reserves at Celtic this season. His move to Genk isn’t just about making an impact for his new club, it’s about rebuilding his own reputation.

Here’s hoping the big man makes a speedy recovery – he certainly deserves to.