By:
Mark Hendry
Josh Cullen faces an anxious wait to learn if he’ll be fit for Ireland vs Czechia in March’s World Cup tie.
The Burnley and Republic of Ireland midfielder picked up a knock vs Everton on Saturday.
It was an injury suffered in the 53rd minute of the action which leaves the Irish nervous.
Heimir Hallgrimsson would have been watching the clash from behind his couch when Cullen went down.
And the player limped off the pitch having been tended to by medics as he lay crumpled on the turf.
It was not a nice sight for fans of the Clarets or the Irish who face the Czechs in their playoff in the next few months as they attempt to make the World Cup tournament next summer in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Cullen will be forced to undergo tests to learn the extent of the damage.
Josh Cullen injury ‘doesn’t look good’
He’ll miss fixtures for his club, which looks likely, but his World Cup hopes may also take a hit.
But both club and country managers will be praying it is not a long-term issue.
Burnley boss Scott Parker admitted it “doesn’t look good” for the 29-year-old.
However he did acknowledge that he won’t know the full problem until the tests are complete.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExFsyGoMbes
The former Club Brugge and Fulham boss said: “Obviously a player like Josh going down and instantly signalling to the bench, he doesn’t look too good.
“We’ll get some further tests on it.”
Defensive midfielder Cullen has earned 47 international caps for his country.
In the most recent outings vs Portugal and Hungary, Cullen played 170 minutes and had a starring role.
It leaves Hallgrimsson possibly short in the engine room if things don’t pan out his way.
Who could replace Cullen in Ireland squad vs Czechia?
Jamie McGrath of Hibs could be a shout to replace him having come into fine form including a show against Hearts in the Edinburgh derby.
Uncapped Barnsley captain Luca Connell has also been touted as the next Ireland star.
It remains to be seen whether or not Cullen will be ready when Czechia arrive on the calendar.
But he will want to give himself the best chance and if that means resting, so be it.
Of course that may not be the ideal scenario for the ambitious player himself.
He has already played 17 times for Burnley in all competitions this term, scoring twice.
But the chance to play in a World Cup playoff – potentially a semi and a final – would be monumental.
If the Irish can get past Czechia they face either Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin five nights later.
And that would surely be a night to remember, win lose or draw.
Categories
- Athletics (5)
- Aussie Rules (1)
- Basketball (12)
- Camogie (3)
- College American football (1)
- Combat (185)
- Cricket (17)
- Cycling (4)
- Darts (36)
- Editors-picks (13)
- Football (1210)
- Formula-1 (14)
- GAA (308)
- Golf (162)
- Hockey (1)
- Horse Racing (172)
- interviews (3)
- LGFA (3)
- MLB Baseball (2)
- NFL (23)
- ROI Radar (1)
- Rowing (1)
- Rugby (188)
- Snooker (6)
- Swimming (3)
- Tennis (17)
- Uncategorized (17)
- WWE (1)
