SAMMIE SZMODICS IS wearing a protective boot and set for a spell on the sidelines, according to Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna.
The Ireland forward suffered an ankle injury against Fulham last weekend, though McKenna hopes the injury is not “very, very serious”.
The 29-year-old scored in the 2-2 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage before going off injured in the 73rd minute.
“We don’t know how long he will be out, to be honest,” McKenna said.
“Hopefully it won’t be a very, very serious injury, but he is in a boot at the minute with damage to his ankle.
“He will be assessed on Monday to get a little bit of a clearer picture on where he is at.”
Ireland will be hoping Szmodics is back fit and in form for the Nations League double header against Bulgaria on 20 and 23 March.
Szmodics has scored seven goals in 20 games so far this season, with six for Ipswich and one for Blackburn Rovers before he made the move in August.
A player picking and choosing when he feels like he can be bothered to turn up for his country.
I knew things were bad for Australian rugby but not that awful
@teuO6nLS: especially when you think he’ll not be available for the Lions series as LR will be playing in the T14 playoffs. It would be just giving him a cap for his own personal gratification.
@Michael Corkery: ok, I need to correct myself. The test matches are not clashing with the T14 playoffs so I withdraw my earlier comment
@teuO6nLS: He’s not picking and choosing, it will be up to the club if they release him. The French clubs have the power in these situations. It’s the same for all international players, even the French players..
@teuO6nLS: it’s not picking and choosing. Clubs are only obliged to release player during the designated international windows. The Ireland and Australia game is outside that window so it’s at the clubs discretion whether he is released or not
@Andrew Lynch: not being available during the rugby championship was him picking and choosing
@teuO6nLS: You might find that big joe didn’t include him in the squad and nor many others that ply there trade beyond boderforces control ,
@teuO6nLS: World Rugby have specific windows whereby clubs are forced to release players. Outside of the international window (which the Ireland v Australia match is), clubs are not obliged to release their players and Top 14 clubs are notorious for sticking to the rules.
theres a 0% chance Joe doesnt try and play him as much as he can in November. He is badly needed for Australia right now