A number of eyebrows were raised when Fulham loaned Alfie Mawson out this summer.

The Whites didn’t have the most depth in the world at centre-half, and they just loaned out a £20m signing who has been deemed good enough for the England squad in the past.

Mawson certainly has the quality to shine in the Premier League, Spurs chased him after he was relegated with Swansea, so when he is at his best he’s good enough to impress some of the biggest clubs in the division, his main problem is staying fit.

Mawson has struggled with injury ever since joining Fulham, he appeared just 15 times during his first season with the Cottagers after sadly injuring his knee trying to put on his boots, an issue that had to be resolved with surgery, while last season he only managed 27 appearances, with injury again never too far away.

He's had two surgeries on that knee, and it's been a problem that's plagued him for years at this point.

He was sent out on loan to Bristol City this term, and he started his career with the Robins brilliantly.

The centre-back was given the captain’s armband after just two games and he played a massive part in helping them to four wins in a row to start the season, but after just 418 minutes of action, everyone’s worst fears were confirmed.

Mawson went down against Middlesbrough and he had to be stretchered off, and while we still don’t know the extent of that injury, suffice to say it didn’t look good at all.

It seems as though Tony Khan was right to not rely on him this season, his body seemingly can’t keep up with the rigours of being a professional footballer week in, week out, and that is a massive shame.

Just look at Khan’s words when Mawson was announced as a Fulham player, and you’ll see just how highly he was thought of at the time, and how injuries have hampered his development.

“Alfie is an exciting young player with a strong future at a position of major importance to our club,” Khan said.

“Alfie is also very highly regarded by our scouting department and our data analysts, giving us great confidence in our back line as we prepare long term for Premier League competition.”

That bright future that Khan once spoke about is in danger of being ripped away from Mawson, and that’s incredibly sad, but fortunately for Fulham, they haven’t fallen into the trap of relying on an injury-prone player in a key position.