Eduardo sees hope on unhappy birthday

Arsenal FC's injured Croatia forward Eduardo da Silva said there would "be no birthday celebrations at all" after he turned 25 today in a London hospital.

Horrible injury
The Brazilian-born player suffered a compound double fracture of his left leg in Arsenal's 2-2 Premier League draw at Birmingham City FC on Saturday, sidelining him for the rest of the season as well as for the summer's UEFA EURO 2008™ finals. He could be out of action for a year or more. "There will be no birthday celebrations at all," he said. "I don't need any special gifts. I have already received the most important one which is my family who are now with me. That's the most important thing for me."

No malice
Having undergone surgery, Eduardo was transferred from Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital to an unnamed London clinic on Sunday to begin his recovery process. He has been quick, however, to underline that he bears no ill-feeling towards Birmingham defender Martin Taylor, who was dismissed for the challenge that broke his leg. "As far as I remember, Martin Taylor has still not been to see me but I was under sedation so who knows," he said. "If he does come, I will let him see me. I forgive him. I know it wasn't deliberate. These things happen."

'I will be back'
Concerns have been raised that the injury could mark the end of Eduardo's career but the player is trying his best to stay positive. "I am OK now," he said. "Nothing hurts any more but it hurt a lot on Saturday. I have not been thinking how long it might take for me to recover, but I don't have any doubt I will be back. Have no fear about that. I was scared when I saw how my leg was right after the injury but I can't say I was thinking about the end of my career. I was worried how everything would go in hospital but it was OK."

Busst advice
David Busst – the former Coventry City FC defender who suffered a similarly grim injury in a game against Manchester United FC at Old Trafford in 1996 – had comforting words for Eduardo. While Busst's injury curtailed his career at 28, he said that team-mates could be crucial in ensuring Eduardo's horror story has a happier ending. "They need to come and see him as often as possible in the short and long term," he said. "The worst thing would be for him to think he has been forgotten at Arsenal. He needs to know he remains a part of the squad and a popular member at that."

Croatia comfort
Croatia coach Slaven Bilić called Eduardo's injury "horrible", but if the striker's absence for UEFA EURO 2008™ represents a massive blow to the national team, the coach is more worried about his player's long-term well-being. "The most important thing is that he recovers and resumes his career," he said. Still top of the Premier League, Arsenal travel to AC Milan for the conclusion of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie on 4 March with the scores level at 0-0 from the first leg.