Football’s freakiest injuries from falling over dogs to slipping on urine

Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein, who is on loan at Reading, hit the headlines after sustaining a freak thumb injury whilst at home – here Mirror Football takes a look at other bizarre injuries from years gone by

Reading goalkeeper Karl Hein could miss the remainder of the campaign after suffering a bizarre injury.

The Estonian international joined the Championship strugglers on loan from Arsenal in January for the second half of the season.

But after just five appearances for his temporary employers his season is set to end early – after falling over at home.

Reading interim manager Paul Ince said of the 19-year-old: “He (Hein) fell in his house and took the ligament off his bone in his thumb.

“So we’re talking four to six weeks out if he doesn’t need surgery, or two months if it does.”

Here, Mirror Football looks at other players who have also suffered freak injuries during their careers.

What’s the weirdest injury you’ve heard of? Let us know in the comments

Liam Lawrence

Back in 2008 winger Lawrence was an important member of Stoke City’s squad.

But prior to a Premier League clash against Portsmouth, the Republic of Ireland international was ruled out – after an accident involving his pet dog.

Before heading to training, Lawrence somehow managed to trip over his dog and suffer ankle damage.

Luckily, he didn’t break his ankle but he remained sheepish over the incident saying: “It was in the middle of the night, the dog lies on the stairs and I didn’t see him.

“I trod on him, realized what I’d done, tried to go to the next step, gone over on my ankle and fallen down the stairs.

“The dog’s fine. I could have killed him at the time, but he’s intact. I’ve had a lot of stick, the lads have been ribbing me and I’ve heard a few things on the telly and on the radio.

“When it doesn’t happen on the pitch or on the training ground then it’s more disappointing and I’m sure the gaffer won’t be best pleased either.”

Darren Barnard

Ex-Barnsley midfielder Barnard also had a pooch-related injury but his ended with him being on the sidelines for a whopping five months!

Barnard slipped on a puddle of his puppy’s urine on his kitchen floor.

He ended up tearing a knee ligament and as a result he missed out on a large chunk of Barnsley’s sole campaign in the Premier League.

Sergio Canizares

Spain goalkeeper Canizares ended up missing out on the 2002 World Cup – after accidentally shattering a bottle of aftershave in his hotel sink.

A piece of glass then fell on his foot, severing a tendon in his big toe.

The freak mishap occurred in his hotel room at a pre-tournament training base.

He said at the time: “I do not consider myself to be unlucky by any means. From the start of my career I have had several strokes of good luck. But, just like everyone else, I have also had difficult times which I have had to cope with.”

Canizares did make it to the 2006 World Cup, where he played his final international game.

Dave Beasant

Another goalkeeper who got injured after a spillage.

In 1993 Beasant dropped a bottle of salad cream on his foot. He ended up severing the tendon in his big toe and the slip-up kept him out of action for eight weeks.

Beasant was at Chelsea at the time – but never played another game for the Blues after his condiment faux pas.

adrian

Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian was celebrating the Reds’ UEFA Super Cup triumph on penalties over Chelsea back in 2019, along with his teammates.

A spectator then came running on to the pitch to join in and the Spanish stopper was accidentally knocked over when the supporter was chased by security.

Adrian’s ankle swelled up and he was a doubt for the Reds’ clash with Southampton that same weekend. Ultimately he would go on to play that game, but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was far from happy at the incident.

He said: “When we were all together (celebrating after the match), a supporter jumped over something, was chased by some security guys, slipped and kicked his (Adrian’s) ankle.

“It’s crazy.”

Darius Vassell

Vassell, then at Aston Villa, suffered a self-inflicted freak injury when he attempted to treat a swollen toe.

There were reports he used an industrial drill but he later cleared up the rumours.

Speaking to Goals on Sunday in 2018, the former England man said: “I attempted some DIY. It wasn’t with a Black and Decker drill as has been described on the internet.

“When you’ve got blood under the nail, you need to get into that to relieve the pressure. Unfortunately, with me, anything that was touching that nail was excruciating so I attempted to do it myself at home, but I couldn’t do it because just touching the nail was painful.”

Thankfully, Vassell got the issue sorted after seeking proper medical attention.

Alfie Mawson

Fulham defender Mawson suffered a knee injury back in 2019 – by putting on his boots.

Cottagers’ boss Claudio Ranieri said at the time: “It was a very strange injury. He just changed his boots. It was unbelievable.

“He needs more time. How long? I don’t know.”

Mawson, a £20m signing, would play just two more games that season and is still on the books at Craven Cottage but firmly out of the picture.

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