Toshack - Ramsey in good spirits

Posted Monday, March 01, 2010 by PA

Arsenal youngster Aaron Ramsey is in "surprisingly good spirits" after the horror tackle that shattered his leg, according to his international manager John Toshack.

Wales midfielder Ramsey underwent emergency surgery after his leg was broken in two places in a challenge from Stoke's Ryan Shawcross at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. The 19-year-old has already been ruled out for the rest of the season but is likely to be sidelined for much longer.

Toshack said: "It is an horrific injury, it makes you want to vomit. It was a sad, unfortunate incident. I spoke to him and he seems in decent spirits but it is a blow for the player, the club and us."

He added: "All we can do now is hope that he has a speedy, successful recovery, but obviously it is going to be a long one.

"The information we have got is that he is as comfortable as can be expected and he seemed in surprisingly decent spirits when I spoke to him."

Ramsey's influence in both the Arsenal and Wales sides has grown in the past year.

The former Cardiff starlet has played in an advanced midfield position in Wales' most recent matches and Toshack was excited about what he might offer in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Wales face England as well as Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro in the qualifying campaign that begins next season.

Toshack admits he will now have to formulate new plans.

"Aaron has just improved immensely over the last six or seven months," Toshack said. "In the last couple of games we felt as though we were on the right lines for him and for this to happen, from a selfish point of view, is a big blow for us. But the main thing is the player at this moment in time."