Ramsey undergoes surgery after horror leg break

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LONDON, Feb 28, 2010 (AFP) - Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has undergone surgery after breaking his right leg in two places in his side's 3-1 Premier League victory at Stoke, the club announced on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Wales international was stretchered off after being fouled by Stoke centre-back Ryan Shawcross in the second half of the game on Saturday. Shawcross was promptly sent off and left the field in tears.

"During yesterday's match against Stoke City, Aaron Ramsey sustained fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Yesterday evening he underwent surgery," read a statement on the Arsenal website.

"The operation successfully reduced the fractures and whilst it is too soon to state an exact timescale for recovery, Aaron will certainly miss the remainder of this season.

"Our thoughts are with Aaron at this time and everyone at the club wishes him all the best in making as speedy a return to action as possible."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who saw Croatian striker Eduardo sustain a similar injury in a game at Birmingham in February 2008, said Shawcross's tackle was "not acceptable".

But Shawcross was robustly defended by both his coach Tony Pulis and his team-mates and later released a statement expressing his sympathy.

"There was absolutely no malice in the challenge," said the 22-year-old former Manchester United trainee, who received his first call-up to the England squad for next week's friendly with Egypt shortly after the game.

"I would never go out to hurt a fellow professional. I am deeply upset that Aaron has suffered such a bad injury and my thoughts are with him.

"I would like to send him my best wishes too for a speedy recovery."

Ramsey, who joined Arsenal from Cardiff City in June 2008, has been withdrawn from the Wales squad to face Sweden in a friendly game in Swansea on Wednesday.

He had made 29 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions this season, scoring four goals.