DERBY COUNTY MIDFIELDER Jeff Hendrick is the latest Ireland player to suffer an injury setback just two months ahead of the European Championship finals in France.
Shane Long, Robbie Keane, Jon Walters (all knee), Kevin Doyle (leg), Ciaran Clark, Daryl Murphy (both calf) and Harry Arter (Achilles) are currently receiving treatment while Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot has been ruled of the European Championships after undergoing serious knee surgery.
Hendrick will be sidelined for a number of games due to a tear in his thigh, sustained during training on Friday.
The 24-year-old missed Ireland’s friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia last month with a shoulder problem while his latest fitness setback saw him sidelined for his club’s 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City on Saturday.
“We thought he had suffered a thigh strain on Friday but a scan has revealed a small tear,” Derby boss Darren Wassall said. ”So, he will be missing for the next few games.
“We’re in the hands of the medics. He’s not going to be fit this week or next week but will be back before the end of the season.”
The news comes as a major blow for Derby County who will be looking to consolidate their spot in the Championship play-off places as the season draws to a close.
The Rams are currently in sixth position, just two points ahead of seventh-placed Cardiff City, ahead of the visit of fellow promotion hopefuls Hull City tonight.
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It’s not a bad time for our players to be injured.
A little rest now and hopefully most of them will be back to play the final 1-3 league games for their clubs so they are match fit for Ireland.
If not match fit by then you’d have to imagine the games against Belarus and Holland will have the lads looking sharp.
Touch wood that the likes of Long, Coleman,O’Shea,Walters and Randolph remain free of serious injury as I think we could replace anyone else.
The Derby lads will be in a play-off so plenty of games left.
On a related subject – is Ritchie Towell at Brighton?
Sure at least we are guaranteed to have a few fresh players for the euros
If MON is consistent Hendrick will probably start for Ireland, so a few weeks break will do him good.