Injury scare for Ghana as winger Atsu limps off in Everton's Europa League game

By Akyereko Frimpong Manson

Follow Akyereko on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial

Ghana could be sweating on a possible long-term injury for winger Christian Atsu who was forced out of Everton's Uefa Europa League game on Thursday evening. 

The 22-year-old Chelsea loanee had started the game for Roberto Martinez's side at the Goodison Park but had to leave the pitch as early as the 10th minute after down under a challenge a minute earlier.

Atsu went into a challenge trying to a win a ball against Russian side FC Krasnodar marker and sustained the injury which ended his evening.

Kieran Dowell, 17, stepped up to replace the injured Ghana winger.

Everton doctors will conduct further scans on the injury to determine the extent of damage to the former FC Porto whizkid and know how long he would be in the treatment room.

Atsu was returning to the starting line-up for the first time since starting against the same side in October.

While Everton would want to know when the Ghanaian international could return to action, the Black Stars technical team will also be following with keen interest as Atsu is expected to play a key role in Ghana's 2015 AFCON campaign.