A small fracture to his skull has ruled striker Joe Garner out for the season, Town have revealed, with the 29-year-old, who as a result needs to rest for six to eight weeks, also set to undergo surgery on his long-standing shoulder problem next week.
Former Preston and Rangers man Garner suffered the head injury during the game against Sheffield United and was pulled out of the Hull City match in midweek after feeling unwell in the build-up having initially been named among the subs. Aaron Drinan took his place on the bench.
""Joe has seen a specialist and he has small fracture behind his ear. It came about after a clash of heads against Sheffield United,” Town physio Matt Byard told the club site. "
"Garns said he was feeling dizzy in the dressing room on Tuesday and we checked him over and pulled him out of the game.
"""It’s a small fracture but it is affecting his balance and co-ordination.
"He doesn’t need an operation and it will settle down fine, but he needs six to eight weeks off and that means the end of the season.”""
Garner has been nursed through the shoulder injury all season and has also had a knee problem in recent weeks, which may also ultimately require surgery.
""We have managed his shoulder with injections and rehab through the season but he will now have an operation on Monday,” Byard added.""
"The joint is unstable but we would have waited until the end of the season for surgery. We will now bring that forward.""
"In addition to that, he has been dealing with an ongoing knee problem. It’s possible he may need surgery on that as well. We will wait and see.”
Manager Mick McCarthy added: "Garns has my eternal admiration for the way he has coped with the knocks and injuries he has carried and got himself ready to play every week when a lot of players wouldn’t have made it.
"""We have missed his physical presence and all-round ability in leading the line. People ask, 'Why have the goals dried up?’. Well, missing a fully fit Joe is one reason.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Andre Dozzell continues to make progress as he recovers from the ruptured cruciate knee ligament he suffered on the opening day of the season against Birmingham City.
Back on the grass 👌ðŸ½ðŸ¤˜ðŸ½ pic.twitter.com/419qfHBvUe– AD23 (@andredozzell) March 15, 2018