Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun has been ruled out of first-team contention for up to six months with an Achilles tendon injury.

The news comes after England international Frank Lampard revealed his hopes of a post-international break comeback from his hernia operation and subsequent injury problems, which have kept him out of a Blues shirt since 31 August.

But Benayoun has hit out at Chelsea’s medical staff, who failed to spot the injury, which was uncovered while the 30-year-old was on international duty with Israel over the weekend.

 

Benayoun has been missing from the Chelsea team-sheet since he was one of three players to limp out of the Blues Carling Cup defeat at home to Newcastle on 22 September.

He picked up a calf injury that night but had recovered from that in time to join up with his national side for their Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Croatia and Greece.

It was while with Israel that a scan revealed an Achilles tendon tear. A Chelsea club statement said: “Yossi Benayoun will undergo surgery on his Achilles on Monday.

“The Israeli international returned to the club from international duty last week, and will now be out of action for approximately six months.”

A frustrated Benayoun was considerably less matter-of-fact about the issue. “The truth is this entire situation is very strange,” he said. “I had three MRIs and three ultrasounds (at Chelsea) and they all said it was just a small tear.

“I came to Israel ready to play and they told me it was a big tear. Chelsea were sure it was something small. They have compared all the images and they do not understand how they missed it.

“They said it is unusual to have such a big tear and not be in terrible pain. Even now I am not in pain but I cannot take one step by myself until I undergo surgery.”

Eyeing his return to first-team contention, Benayoun added: “I hope Chelsea have a successful season so I can come back and help win trophies in the final weeks.”

Chelsea supremo Carlo Ancelotti has injury concerns over his defence for the Blues’ potentially awkward trip to Aston Villa in the EPL this Saturday.

Chelsea do not have a great recent record at Villa Park, losing this fixture last season 2-1. And Brazilian centre-back Alex, who limped out of the pre-international break win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, is still out with a thigh problem.

Club captain John Terry is also doubtful for the Villa trip as he is still suffering from the lower back injury he picked up while training with the England squad and which forced him to miss their dismal 0-0 draw with Montenegro at Wembley this week.

Young Dutch defender Jeffrey Bruma, who missed the Netherlands under-21 fixture this week with a tight hamstring, may be drafted in to a makeshift centre-back pairing alongside Serbian right-back Branislav Ivanovic.

However, striker Salomon Kalou has recovered from his thigh injury and resumed training this week.