David Moyes has paid tribute to Duncan Watmore following the youngster’s season-ending knee injury.
The England under-21 international has been ever-present during the 2016-17 campaign, and he’s arguably played his best football to date in recent weeks alongside Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe.
A coming together with Leicester City’s Christian Fuchs on Saturday saw Watmore stretchered off as the champions were beaten, with scans confirming his season has come to a premature and cruel end.
And although Moyes admits it comes as a bitter blow, he backed the ‘terrific' 22-year-old to come back stronger.
"It is sad news because he is a great boy.
"Duncan has been terrific for us so he didn’t deserve that, but he will come back."
He continued: "These injuries are happening more regularly now, players are coming back, surgeons are better, so we look forward to Duncan returning.
"But it will probably not be until the start of next season now.”