LONDON — Former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Premier League striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has succeeded in a High Court negligence claim against orthopaedic surgeon Professor James Calder, with a judge ruling that an additional ankle procedure performed during surgery for a 2013 leg fracture was unnecessary and contributed to the premature end of his professional career. The ruling, delivered by Mrs Justice Lambert on Thursday, December 18, 2025, entitles the 39-year-old to damages, with the quantum to be assessed at a later hearing in a case reportedly seeking over £7 million.
Ebanks-Blake suffered a broken left fibula (lower leg) during a Championship match against Birmingham City in April 2013 while playing for Wolves. Referred to Professor Calder, a specialist in sports injuries, he underwent surgery to repair the fracture. During the operation, Calder also performed an arthroscopy on Ebanks-Blake's ankle—previously injured in 2005 during his Manchester United academy days—removing scar tissue, loose cartilage, and conducting a microfracture on the underlying bone. Calder argued the intervention was preventive, addressing potential future issues, and prolonged the player's career, allowing him to play until 2019.
However, Ebanks-Blake contended the ankle procedure was unwarranted as he was pain-free at the time, causing inflammation, stiffness, reduced mobility, and accelerated osteoarthritis. His barrister, Simeon Maskrey KC, told the court the "onset of symptoms and the development and acceleration of osteoarthritis brought the claimant’s footballing career to a premature end." Maskrey emphasized that the risks for an elite athlete outweighed any benefits, leading to lost income and ongoing needs for physiotherapy and psychological support.
Defending Calder, Martin Forde KC maintained the treatment aligned with standards for trauma and orthopaedic surgeons in elite sport, asserting it would have been negligent to ignore the ankle issues.
In her judgment, Mrs Justice Lambert rejected Calder's defense, finding the arthroscopy on a "previously symptom-free claimant who had suffered a modest acute ankle fracture" was "neither reasonable nor logical." She accepted evidence that without the procedure, Ebanks-Blake's ankle would have remained pain-free for three to five years, during which he could have played at a high level. The judge noted causation and quantum—whether he would have sustained high-level play—remain for future determination.
Ebanks-Blake, an England Under-21 international, began at Manchester United, rising through leagues to score prolifically for Plymouth Argyle and Wolves (64 goals in 193 appearances from 2008-2013). Post-injury, he joined Ipswich Town but struggled with pain despite steroid injections, drifting down divisions before retiring in 2019 after another fracture in non-league football.
The case highlights risks in sports medicine, consent, and long-term athlete health. Ebanks-Blake's claim also alleged inadequate risk disclosure, though the ruling focused on breach of duty.
Calder, a prominent surgeon treating elite athletes, has not commented publicly on the verdict. The decision may influence medical negligence standards in sports.
Ebanks-Blake expressed relief through representatives, focusing on closure after a 12-year battle. The outcome underscores accountability in treating professional athletes, where career implications are profound.
