Bazunu ruled out until 2025 through ruptured Achilles injury

The Republic of Ireland international was injured in the warm-up ahead of Tuesday's 3-0 win over Preston. 

Bazunu has undergone surgery and has already began his recovery, with his family over from Ireland to visit. 

The Daily Echo reported concerns over a potential Achilles problem before in-game commentary suggested the injury would not be season-ending.

Manager Russell Martin, unfortunately, confirmed the worst fears after the match and issued a further update on Friday.

He said: "Gavin had an operation on Thursday and it was as bad as we feared.

Saints manager Russell Martin spoke ahead of the trip to Cardiff City

"He's going to be out for around nine to 10 months as he has ruptured his Achilles. So I spoke to Gavin last night.

"He's got all his family over from Ireland and they're here to support him and the medical team here.

"How quickly we managed to get everything done and the operation done is really fantastic," Martin continued. 

"I spoke to him before the operation and he wasn't in a good place, which you can imagine and expect after hearing such bad news.

"But already last night, he was way more positive. It might be the anaesthetic. We'll rally round and he'll be in on Monday to come and see the guys.

"He wants to be at the game Tuesday because this is Gavin, but we'll also have to assess that. Our biggest thing with Gav will be to try and slow him down.

"He will just want to attack everything and hit it head on, so we are really devastated for Gav. He's a brilliant young man.

"He's already a seriously strong young man and resilient young man and him being out gives other people opportunities.

"The guys in the dressing room will certainly rally round, I know they would have already, and we look forward to seeing him on Monday." 

At the age of 22, Bazunu has already made 172 senior appearances including winning 22 caps for his country.

Gavin Bazunu is a regular international, saving a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo before he joined Saints (Image: PA)

The former Shamrock Rovers and Man City man is computer-like in his thinking and possesses a strong mental attitude. 

Martin backs the youngster to come back stronger, even if it takes up to February 2025 as initially diagnosed. 

"I've said to the guys so many times, your career is just never linear," Martin said. 

"You can't have it all your own way. I don't know anyone whose career just goes upwards and upwards. Maybe (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo. 

"And even then they'll have disappointment and setbacks to deal with. Gavin has now had a huge setback, a huge disappointment in his life.

"There will be some really dark and lonely moments during these next nine, 10 months.

"When you dream of doing something and you do it every day but then that's taken away and you don't expect that, it's really difficult to deal with.

"We will support him but we also have to accept there are going to be moments where he feels that but how you deal with disappointment will define everything you do.

"That goes for like in life and in football, how you deal with disappointment and tough moments define you, I think, as a person and player.

"I've got no doubt he will come out of the other side stronger, and it will give him a chance to work on stuff that he hasn't been able to since he was 18.

"He's been playing first-team football since then, which for a goalkeeper is incredible, so I've got no doubt about Gavin and his future.

"It's just a little delay and a pause in his career. And then when he gets back, he'll pick up where he left off."