EXCLUSIVERevealed: Premier League star came close to losing his THUMB in freak accident while washing the dishes

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Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe came close to losing his thumb in a freak kitchen accident that required surgery.

Kieran McKenna, head coach of the Premier League new boys, revealed over the weekend that the defender required an operation on a hand injury that meant he missed the defeat against West Ham.

And Mail Sport can reveal the unfortunate incident that saw the former Manchester United man nearly lose his thumb.

The 26-year-old was washing the dishes last week when a glass smashed.

Painfully, one of the shards deeply lacerated Tuanzebe's hand meaning he required urgent medical attention.

Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe nearly lost his thumb in a freak kitchen accident last week

Kieran McKenna had confirmed that an 'unfortunate hand injury' had kept his player out of the side's weekend clash with West Ham

There were concerns at the time that Tuanzebe could lose his thumb as a result of the incident but thankfully medics have been able to save his digit after surgery.

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Tuanzebe has become a key member of Ipswich’s team since their promotion into the top-flight, starting in all six of the teams matches prior to missing West Ham following the unusual injury.

'He's done a hand injury, a very unfortunate accident,’ McKenna explained on Saturday.

‘He's had surgery and will be out for a while. It's not going to be a couple of weeks, probably longer. There are still discussions with the specialists.

‘He's naturally a miss with the way he's started the season. He's going to be out for a little while.’

Tuanzebe is latest player to fall victim of injury due to a freak accident away from football.

Former Wimbledon 'keeper Dave Beasant tore a tendon in his big toe after dropping a bottle of salad cream onto the digit

Former Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant famously dropped a bottle of salad cream on his foot, causing him to tear a tendon in his big toe resulting in a two month lay-off.

Fellow goalkeeper Richard Wright once suffered an ankle injury putting suitcases away in his loft.

Former Argentina international Ever Banega ended up requiring ankle surgery after he got his leg caught between the curb and his car whilst filling up with petrol because he forgot to put the handbrake on.