Injured Eduardo leaves hospital

2008-02-28 10:30

London - Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva has been released from hospital following the broken leg he suffered in a tackle last weekend, the English Premiership side said on Wednesday.

"The club can confirm that Eduardo has now been released from hospital, where he had been since sustaining his injury against Birmingham City," an Arsenal statement said.

"Eduardo would like to once again thank everyone for the overwhelming messages of support he has received."

The 25-year-old Brazilian-born Croatian striker fractured his left fibula and dislocated his ankle after a studs-up tackle from Martin Taylor which saw the Birmingham City defender sent off just minutes into Saturday's 2-2 league draw at St Andrews.

The incident was deemed so horrendous the host broadcaster covering the match refused to show replays of the tackle during the game.

Eduardo, whose injury has ruled him out of the remainder of Premiership leaders Arsenal's season and the Croatia side that will play in the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland, underwent surgery on Saturday in Birmingham before being transferred to a London hospital.

Taylor received death threats after the challenge, especially from Croatian fans furious at being deprived of a star player for a major tournament.

One website specifically set up after the incident has already received 27 000 messages directed at the former Blackburn player.

Birmingham's security personnel had to restrain Croatian journalists who ran on to the road and tried to force their way into Taylor's car as he left the club's training ground on Monday.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish condemned the reaction, saying. "I've heard about the death threats and you are going to ridiculous proportions if that is the case. There are some crazy people in the world."

Arsenal said on Monday they hoped Eduardo would make a full recovery from his injury after nine months.

- AFP