Town boss Mick McCarthy says striker David McGoldrick was “devastated” when he suffered his latest injury setback in training ahead of last week’s game at Fulham.

The Irish international had only just returned to action following a groin problem, having missed most of the second half of last season with a troublesome thigh niggle and been out of action for the final months of 2013/14 after suffering a serious knee injury.

“The conspiracy theories are nuts because he’s really torn his hamstring badly and he’s going to be out for a number of weeks,” McCarthy said.

“He can’t do anything about that. I can assure you that he hasn’t torn it on purpose so he doesn’t have to play or anything like that.

“He was devastated, it’s a long time since I’ve seen a player that was so upset. When he did the injury he was sat in the dugout and he was in bits.

“We had to help him off the pitch. He was devastated, absolutely devastated because he’s had so many injuries, and long-term ones which had kept him out.

“And he loves playing football, he loves being out on the training pitch, so it was really sad to see him like that.”

McGoldrick, 28, who has scored three goals this season, signed a new contract tying him to Town until 2018 earlier in the campaign.

Also still sidelined is midfielder Teddy Bishop, who expressed his frustration at having been unable to feature for the first-team this season on Twitter last week.

Most people are happy if they get time off their job, all I want to do is play football 😒, I'll be back stronger tho 💙⚽️– Ted bishop (@ted10bishop) December 18, 2015

The 19-year-old has been hampered by shin splints and a hamstring problem. The former academy player had hoped he was closing in on a return earlier this month before suffering another setback.

“He’s still having treatment on his hamstring unfortunately,” McCarthy said. “Treatment and rehab. Treatment, get it right, strengthening, and then hopefully he’ll be back asap.”

Asked whether he thought Bishop was at the end of his tether, the Town boss added: “Yes, and he’ll probably meet me there as well.

“You can’t do anything else [but keep taking the doctors’ advice] because he’s been coming back [and then had setbacks] and we’ve stripped him back to the bone and gone to pre-season mode and tried to get him back. It’s just unfortunate.

“We’ll get the result that we require in the end but it’s just sad sometimes, it happens to players. He had a growth spurt and that can leave you a little bit vulnerable.”

Photo: Action Images

carsey added 06:25 - Dec 24 Feel sorry for the young man and for the supporters. The team desperately need him back at his best so we have someone on the pitch to drive the team forward and take control of the game. I was really hoping this season was going to be a big one from Bishop. Hope he gets sorted for the last couple of months because we will need him in the playoffs.
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jas0999 added 07:20 - Dec 24 It's bad news for them and the club. But we need to be realistic. It would seem neither are likely to offer anything for the remainder of season. We are missing a Bishop type player in the centre of the park. Bru has been okay, but not spectacular. Although it's great to have Varney fit again, he isn't McGoldrick. For me the club need to bring in similar replacements for the two injured lads. Possibly half season loans. We miss the quality of both.

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hoppy added 07:20 - Dec 24 Blimey, that really is serious stuff with Bishop, if they've stripped him back to the bone - that's going to take a while to heal, isn't it?
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ArnieM added 08:12 - Dec 24 Two things. 1. McGoldrick could not have been totally match fit ie all muscle groups strengthened adequatly. Its very unusal for a Hamstring muscle to tear during a concentric (shortening) action ( back heal the ball). They usually tear if weak, duringan eccentric action ie lengthening (during a kick of the ball forwards). Therefore , after all the rehab he has had post previous injury, not enough attention was paid to his hamstrings. These are one of the worst injries to get nad if not rehabed correctly will re tear adnorsium. 2. Shin splints is a micro fracturing of the shine bone , due to repeated overloading , ie long distance runners and young elite athletes stepping up a level. Treatment is usually complete rest from impact sport - a period of 6 months is not unusual. TB also has the addedd complication of weak hamstrings. Both , in his case fitting the young athlete performing at a senior level. I wish them both a speedy recovery and a Happy Christmas and NY. Perhaps realistically next season or if they are lucky towards the end of this season, will see them make a cameo appearance. COYB's

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DurhamTownFan added 08:32 - Dec 24 I don't necessarily know what people will say here, but is it now time to start planning for life without David McGoldrick? On his day he's the most skilful player we hve an has a calm on the ball not many others have got in our present team. How many games has he played in the last two seasons though? My heart says keep him as long as we can, head says get rid.
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ArnieM added 08:51 - Dec 24 I agree totatlly with your comments and have said similar many times on here. Interestingly you say "prepare for life without McG". But thats exactly what ITFC have done over the last 2 seasons. The Squad has moved on , McG hasnt. We are playing without him and are currently 6th. Some may say we miss him, but with players such as Fraser , Sears, Douglas, Bru Id say not as much as people think. I suspect Bishop will be back in the team before McG. In fact I dont think we will ever really see McG back to the player he was in his frist season - which seems light years ago now , and even then I dont think he completed a full season, did he?

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Jimmy86 added 09:04 - Dec 24 Didz is possibly our most technically gifted player, with the ball at his feet, but he's no good to us if he's always injured and on the treatment table. I wonder whether he warms up properly, because to me you shouldn't tear your hamstring performing such a simple action as a back heel. Didz must be really weak to keep getting these injuries.
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MooseJuice added 09:05 - Dec 24 Where did these "conspiracy theories" come from Mick? I thought you didn't read the papers, or forum or listen to the media anyway? Confusing.
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PhilTWTD added 09:50 - Dec 24 MooseJuice He was asked about them at the end of last season. He hadn't previously been aware as I think he genuinely pays no attention to media coverage of Town or website or social media gossip.
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rfretwell added 10:45 - Dec 24 I always thought being hung drawn and quartered was pretty nasty but being stripped back to the bone - ugh!
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SohoBlue added 00:49 - Dec 25 Didz, I feel so sorry for you. It's one thing after another. Keep your head up, plug away and I hope you get another chance at first team football. We love what you bring to our game when you're fit and able, and I'm sure you're as good off the pitch as an example to the younger lads. Chin up. You can get back...again!
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