Anderlecht striker Bentayeb out for up to 10 days with concussion

Anderlecht striker Tawfik Bentayeb will be unavailable for the next match. The 24-year-old forward must follow an individual recovery programme of seven to ten days after suffering a concussion during the home win against Zulte Waregem.

The injury occurred during last Saturday's 3-0 victory, a result that keeps Anderlecht in fifth place in the Jupiler Pro League with thirteen points. Bentayeb collided heavily with Zulte Waregem's Laurent Lemoine. Although he initially returned to the pitch, he had to be substituted later. He was taken to hospital for a scan as a precaution, where a concussion was diagnosed.

Manager Vitor Bruno explained the decisions surrounding the striker. "We were in contact with the doctor to take no risks. It was his decision to go back onto the pitch," the coach said. "He felt it wasn't working out, and then we made the logical decision to take him off."

Squad impact

The FIFA recovery protocol means Bentayeb will definitely miss the next league match, an away fixture against Cercle Brugge on October 10th. A potential call-up to the Moroccan national team is also ruled out. His absence is a setback, as the striker was actively involved in the scoring against Zulte Waregem. In the fortieth minute he opened the scoring himself, and eight minutes after half-time he provided the assist for Marten Winkler's 2-0.

Bentayeb's injury comes at a time when Anderlecht's form has been mixed. The club's recent record shows three wins, one draw and one loss in the last five matches. The full standings are available online. The team will now have to rely on other attacking options in the coming period.

In the long term, there appears to be no lasting damage. The club's medical staff stress that no serious injury was found on the scan. Recovery is following the standard protocol, focusing on rest and a phased return to training. Fans can check the current squad list to see who might fill the injured striker's role. The next challenge is scheduled for just over two weeks from now, a period Anderlecht can use to further adjust the team to the absence of one of their attacking forces.

This story first appeared at HLN Voetbal