IRISH INTERNATIONAL JONATHAN Walters has played down concerns that he could miss out on a place at Euro 2016, despite undergoing an operation on his knee yesterday.
The Stoke striker played an integral part in Ireland’s qualification, scoring a brace in the side’s play-off victory over Bosnia, while he was also named Senior International Player of the Year at the FAI awards recently.Â
And after he missed Ireland’s recent friendlies with Switzerland and Slovakia owing to injury, it has now been confirmed that the 32-year-old Merseyside-born attacker is set for a spell on the sidelines as he bids to recover in time for this summer’s tournament.
Yet speaking to Independent.ie, Walters suggested he was in no danger of missing out on a place on the plane to France, saying: ”I’ve had a similar one done before and was back playing in less than three weeks so I’ll be grand.”
The Ireland star also tweeted earlier today suggesting the operation had been a success, while joking: “Apologies for no post op selfie. I had surgery yesterday and all went well, delighted to have moved up two cup sizes.”
An earlier report in the Irish Daily Mail suggested Walters would be out for around six to eight weeks, putting his Euro 2016 hopes in doubt.
A statement from Stoke issued to The42 would not confirm these rumours but said there will likely be an official update on the striker’s condition released later today.
More to follow
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