Pape Souare set to be sidelined for six months after Crystal Palace defender broke thighbone in horror car crash
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CRYSTAL PALACE defender Pape Souare set to be out for up to six months after breaking his thigh bone in a horror car crash.
The 26-year-old Senegalese international was airlifted to hospital after a crash on the M4 motorway in London last Sunday.
Souare sustained injuries to his thigh and jaw and underwent surgery on Tuesday
He is expected to be released from hospital on Saturday after Palace made a big donation to London Air Ambulance who helped to save the left-back's career.
Palace boss Alan Pardew said: "He isn't having the best of times, but we're all very supporting. We love Pape and can't wait to have him back."
When asked how much of the season Souare would miss, Pardew said: "Four, five months. Maybe six, he should be up and running again.
"I don't think we have any concerns about Pape returning. It was a broken thigh, that should repair as normal."
The defender underwent surgery on his jaw and thigh after a miracle escape from the brutal collision.
He was airlifted to hospital after being cut free from the wreckage of his Mercedes on Sunday in an accident that blocked the motorway out of London.
Amazingly, surgeons expect him to make a full recovery and resume his playing career.
Emergency services carefully work to free the Palace player from the wreckage of his car
Palace are yet to learn the extent of the damage to some of Souare's muscles, but Pardew said the player was "very lucky".
He added: "It was a terrible accident. We owe a huge debt to the London Air Ambulance and the surgeons who helped him."
And the work of the Air Ambulance, who operate as a charity, has not gone unnoticed at Selhurst Park.
Palace chairman Steve Parish has revealed the club has donated to the cause, and Palace have also launched an appeal for their supporters to also pledge cash as a sign of their gratitude.
Parish said: "Thanks to the fantastic response of the emergency services who cut him from the car, and the amazing surgeons, doctors and staff at the Royal London Hospital, he is expected to make a full recovery.
"We would like to make special mention of the London Air Ambulance service who flew Pape directly from the scene to the hospital ensuring that he rapidly had access to the very best medical care.
"The club note that this organisation is a charity and completely funded from donations as such we are making a contribution and would urge everyone to support this invaluable service for the people of London."
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Souare, who played 90 minutes in Palace's opening three matches of the Premier League season, was left out of Alan Pardew's squad for the 2-1 over Middlesbrough.
He joined the club in January 2015 from Lille and instantly became an important player for Palace featuring 34 times last season.