Reuben to miss rest of Super League season

PETALING JAYA: Armed Forces are expected to miss their pillar of strength in defence for the remaining Super League campaign after K. Reuben tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during their match against T-Team in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday.

Head coach B. Sathianathan said the 23-year-old national player’s absence will be sorely felt.

“I have a few more regulars on the crock list and the last thing I need is another one,” said a disappointed Sathianathan on Wednesday.

Besides Reuben, the other players injured and expected to sit out of Saturday’s home match against Lions XII are Golden Boot winner Marlon James (knee), defender Spase Dilevski and winger Christie Jayaseelan (both down with groin injury).

A disappointed Reuben said he hopes to get a second opinion from a specialist before going under the knife.

“I hope I won’t have to undergo surgery on my left knee. I was told that it will keep me out of football between four and six months,” said Reuben, who at the age of 17 went for ACL surgery for his right knee.

Reuben has been excluded from the national team preparing for the Asian Cup qualifying round match against Yemen in the United Arab Emirates on March 5.

He is expected to miss the soldiers’ remaining Super League fixtures, which will conclude on June 25.

He should be back for the Malaysia Cup campaign in August.

Armed Forces are currently second in the standings with seven points, ahead of Terengganu on goal difference.