Nathan Baxter out for remainder of season after surgery-requiring shoulder injury

Nathan Baxter’s journey through the years has been amongst the more inspirational ones in our loan army contingent, with the goalkeeper currently plying his trade in League One after starting out in non-league football. He moves up to a higher division in each successive season, and his ability to adapt quickly to a level of higher difficulty has ensured that his dream of playing for Chelsea by the age of 24 remains intact.

Baxter was having quite the impact in his latest loan stint at Accrington Stanley — where he is joined by fellow Chelsea loanees Tariq Uwakwe and Jon Russel — with the London-born GK conceding just 16 goals in his last 16 appearances, an impressive feat considering that his club are mid-table and sitting in the 13th position.

However, in what can only be described as disheartening news, Baxter suffered a shoulder injury in the game against Ipswich Town in early March, and while Accrington Stanley were initially optimistic about the severity of the injury, they have now confirmed that the 22-year-old has undergone surgery and is set to miss the rest of the season. He is currently recuperating at Cobham.

“He has had an operation so he is out for the season. It’s a blow for us but these things happen and it gives Toby a marvelous opportunity.”

- source: John Coleman (Accrington Stanley manager); source: Lancashire Telegraph

This will be a setback of some sorts to Baxter’s progress, but since he has already shown that he can well dominate at this level, maybe taking a little risk and sending him to the Championship next season would not be the worst idea.

Get well soon, Nathan!