AMSTERDAM – Injured Birmingham City handyman Will Packwood is headed home following surgery to mend breaks in his right tibia and fibula suffered during Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup draw at Leeds United.
The US Under-20 international was removed in the 66th minute after falling to the ground awkwardly with Leeds' forward Luciano Becchio landing on top of him. Birmingham press officer Andy Walker stated that the sound of the breaks were audible on the sideline, instantly alerting the staff to the severity of his injuries.
Packwood revealed on Twitter that he was set for a second operation on Tuesday following his Monday afternoon return to Birmingham via ambulance. The youngster confirmed all went well with Sunday's procedure in Leeds, but the Blues expect him to be on the shelf until early next season.
VIDEO: USA's Packwood suffers leg fracture in England
"It's possibly something that could take 12 months, or even longer," Walker told MLSsoccer.com. "But the early indication was that it would take at least nine months."
Despite the grim nature of the incident and dour prognosis, the Brums are fully backing Packwood to make a successful recovery.
"Will is so mature for a 19-year-old it's scary, he's a true pro," added Walker. "Even the manager said, 'If there's one guy who would bounce back and do things the right way, it's him.'"
This season, Packwood made his first five Championship starts for Birmingham, as well as debuting in both the FA Cup and Capital One Cup. Though he has typically played in defensive midfield with US youth national teams and is often rated as a center back prospect, most of his first-team minutes to date have been spent providing right-back cover.
