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Former Premier League striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is suing leading orthopaedic surgeon Professor James Calder for more than £7 million, alleging that a procedure performed in 2013 prematurely ended his football career.
The 39-year-old, who once played for Manchester United and scored 64 goals in 193 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers, claims that an operation carried out after he broke his leg during a match against Birmingham City also involved unnecessary and harmful treatment to his ankle. According to legal submissions made at London’s High Court, Ebanks-Blake argues this procedure accelerated the onset of osteoarthritis, ultimately curtailing his career at the highest level.
His barrister, Simeon Maskrey KC, said: "The onset of symptoms and the development and acceleration of osteoarthritis brought the claimant's footballing career to a premature end."
Mr Maskrey added that while the striker had suffered a prior ankle injury, it had caused him no pain and he had adapted to some residual stiffness. However, after fracturing his left leg in April 2013, he underwent surgery that included cleaning out the joint and removing cartilage, steps that the claimant says were unnecessary and harmful.
Ebanks-Blake’s legal team argues that he was not properly warned about the risks of the ankle procedure, nor was he advised that "wait and see" was a viable alternative. Mr Maskrey said: "He would have taken that risk" if told.
Professor Calder denies all allegations. His legal representative, Martin Forde KC, defended the surgeon’s decision-making, arguing that his actions were medically justified and necessary given the condition of the joint.
Calder's legal team maintains that the player had an “overoptimistic view of his own powers of recovery” and that he had previously made positive remarks about his recovery.
Ebanks-Blake continued to play professionally until 2019, mostly at lower-league and non-league clubs. He ultimately retired after another injury while playing for Walsall Wood.
The former England U21 international had hoped to return to Premier League football and had been earning significant income during his time at Wolves. His representatives say that following the procedure, he required steroid injections to manage pain and was left physically limited until his eventual retirement.
The hearing is expected to conclude on July 22.
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