Portsmouth academy graduate suffers freak injury by breaking both ankles

The Isle of Wight youngster is currently wearing two protective boots, having suffered his freak double setback at FC Volendam.

Maloney departed Fratton Park for the Dutch second-tier outfit during last year's January transfer window for an undisclosed fee. He netted once in four appearances for the Blues.

Having penned a long-term deal at Volendam, he's played seven times in their Eerste Divisie campaign this term.

However, the 19-year-old will miss the remainder of the season because of his ankle problems.

Maloney was suffering issues, which are believed to have been caused by the 3G artificial surface that Volendam regularly train on.

The wide man underwent a scan on one ankle which showed he'd suffered a fracture – before another scan on his opposite foot discovered the exact same injury.

He was then forced to undergo the knife.

Maloney is currently recovering on the outskirts of Amsterdam as travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic mean he's unable to return home.

Writing on Twitter, the 19-year-old said: ‘This is what happens in football sometimes and the bad side that people don’t see, but I’m positive I will come back 10x stronger than before. Bring on the next season!’

After the sale of Maloney, former boss Kenny Jackett said that Pompey had ensured that a ‘strong sell-on clause’ was installed in his Volendam contract.

What's more, Josh Flint – who also joined Volendam after his Fratton Park release – had also been troubled with an ankle complaint caused by the 3G pitch.

However, the versatile left-footer from Waterlooville only has bruising.

Flint, who scored one goal in two appearances for Pompey, signed a new long-term deal with Volendam in January. He's made two first-team outings so far.