ULSTER HEAD COACH Neil Doak says Ireland international Jared Payne could be out for up to two months after undergoing surgery on the foot injury he sustained at the World Cup.
The 30-year-old played in Ireland’s opening games against Canada and Romania, before succumbing to the foot problem that saw him miss the clashes against Italy, France and Argentina.
Ireland ruled Payne out of the remainder of tournament before the France clash, citing a fractured foot. The Ulsterman was eventually replaced by Isaac Boss in the days before the Argentina defeat.
“He had an operation,” Doak told Ulster Rugby TV today. “There’s no definitive return point at this stage, like most things with bones.
There could be some structural damage down there, who knows? It could be eight weeks. He’s had his surgery and he’s on the road to recovery.”
A two-month recovery timeframe would rule Payne out of Ulster’s opening Champions Cup clashes against Oyonnax and Saracens next month, while also making him a doubt for the meeting with Toulouse on 11 December.
Meanwhile, Ulster are waiting on news of Tommy Bowe’s knee injury, which Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt said looked like possible ligament damage.
Bowe was replaced early in the first half of Ireland’s defeat to the Pumas on Sunday, taking on gas after being in obvious pain and subsequently being stretchered off.
“I was hoping to get something there before today, but nothing yet,” said Doak. “Those guys only got in last night, so hopefully some news will be there today or tomorrow, just to find out what the final prognosis is with regards to what way it’s going to go forward.
“Obviously on the day it didn’t look good injury-wise. Unfortunately, the Ulster boys don’t do things by half, they’re always flipping long.”
The 3rd fight will always be there, but to build the hype again Nate should try to get a win under his belt in the meantime and Conor should defend the title against Khabib or Ferguson. Maybe Nate could fight whichever of those 2 Conor doesn’t.
Aldo deserved a rematch first up after his 13s loss to McG. Dana is disgrace for treating Aldo like that.
Any coverage about the Kovalev-Ward fight at the weekend lads? Best fight in Boxing in many a year and two undefeated lads, at the peak of the prime and at the peak of the sport fighting each other.
Kov-Ward and then Loma-Walters the following week. 3 great fight weekends in a row.
Oh get over it
Go suck on a lemon Diaz!
Nate “the excuse” Diaz
Nate Diaz > mcgregor I know most McGregor fans won’t be able to decipher that one
“I ain’t begging for no fight” so does he not want the fight then?