Sandesh Jhingan faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury

Bengaluru, October 11: Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Jhingan had already been ruled out of India's FIFA World Cup Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Zone qualifier against Bangladesh to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday (October 15).

"Owing to an injury sustained in the friendly game against NEUFC, Sandesh Jhingan has been ruled out from the forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on October 15.

We wish him a speedy recovery," the All India Football Federation had tweeted.

Owing to an injury sustained in friendly game against @NEUtdFC, @SandeshJhingan has been ruled out from the forthcoming @FIFAWorldCup qualifier against Bangladesh 🇧🇩 on October 1️⃣5️⃣.

We wish him a speedy recovery 🙏#BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ #BlueTigers 🐯 pic.twitter.com/HGx8gqBbbX

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 10, 2019

The Kerala Blasters player had picked up the injury during a friendly match against North East United in Guwahati.

Though the injury did not look serious initially, results of the MRI tests done later revealed that he needs a surgery.

The 26-year-old was one of the star performers for India who held AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar to a goalless draw in their own den.

World Cup 2022 Qualifier: India vs Qatar: Blue Tigers hold Qatar to a goalless draw

Jhingan's absence will leave a big void in the defence with Pronay Halder and Rahul Bheke yet to recover from injuries. In the Road to Qatar 2022, Coach Igor Stimac has never been able to field a full strength team with Sunil Chhetri missing the Qatar match.