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Injuries

Payne set for up to two months out as Ulster wait on Tommy Bowe injury

The Ireland internationals were both injured at the World Cup.

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.

Jared Payne Payne is likely to miss Ulster's opening Champions Cup games. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

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.

Tommy Bowe goes off injured Bowe was replaced in the first half last weekend. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

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.”

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