Reports: Kemar Lawrence sent for surgery; out for four to six weeks (still)

About 10 days ago, we were told by the Jamaica national team that the injury Kemar Lawrence aggravated at Copa America Centenario would take four to six weeks to heal. Four days ago, the New York Red Bulls suggested they concurred: Jesse Marsch said he hoped the left back's recovery would be "around the four-week range."

Today, the club is letting it be known the prognosis is...well, in the four weeks range, but also in the six weeks range.

Jesse Marsch said Kemar Lawrence is out four to six weeks following hernia surgery. #RBNY

— Kristian Dyer (@KristianRDyer) June 17, 2016

Kemar Lawrence out 4-6 weeks due to hernia surgery. #RBNY

— ((( Christian ))) (@Christian_Araos) June 17, 2016

If, as implied by reports out of the Jamaica camp, Lawrence has been carrying an injury for some time now, the news of surgery is encouraging: fix the problem (hopefully), once and for all.

It is surely frustrating for Lawrence and the club to see the first team's starting left back not just miss significant time, but miss time during which there will be a great many games. Ten days after he was first told he might be out for four to six weeks, Lawrence is still four to six weeks away from playing. And the next four to six weeks of RBNY's schedule will cover eight to 10 matches, at least (there might also be a US Open Cup quarterfinal to play if things go right for the Red Bulls).

The important news, however, is that Lawrence is now on the road to recovery. Estimates of the time it will take for him to regain his fitness are necessarily inexact. What should not be inexact is that when he returns, he will finally be free of the injury that has been hampering him.

If he comes back fit, strong and something like the player who was among the best left backs in CONCACAF last season - that is what counts. If he plays for RBNY before August, it is merely a bonus.