Town boss Mick McCarthy says Emyr Huws’s season-ending knee injury came as a shock and he has challenged Teddy Bishop to replace the Wales international in the Blues’ midfield.

Huws, 24, suffered hip and knee injuries in the first half at Middlesbrough last week and was withdrawn at the break. He subsequently underwent surgery on the knee injury yesterday and will be out of action for around six months.

“It came as a shock,” McCarthy admitted. “I’m not quite sure when he did it. He got a really nasty bang on his hip and he came in at half-time and he was putting ice on his hip and I was going to change it.

“I’ve seen the bang on his hip since when watching the game. And then he said his knee was a bit sore and I told him he’d made my mind up, ‘If you’ve got a bang on your hip and on your knee, then you’re coming off’.

“Plus I didn’t want to be changing anybody else and then having to take Emyr off after 70 minutes if he’d run out of gas.

“I just thought he’d be in here with a bruised hip on Monday. But the next news I get is that he’s got a tear in his cartilage and it could be a season-ending injury. That was a real shock, a bigger shock to him, of course, and a bigger disappointment.”

McCarthy says the injury is a blow for all at Portman Road but especially the player himself as he’d only just recovered from the achilles injury he suffered in pre-season.

“He’d had a long-term injury, it could have been a lot more because I was in here talking about them maybe operating on him, but then they decided not to,” he added.

“And that was great news and he got back playing and he looked like he was getting back to his best.

“And then to have it taken away again, I’m disappointed and the rest of the players and staff and I’m sure the fans are because he’s a good players, but I can only imagine how he feels. He will be devastated.”

Town have had more than their fair share of injuries this season but players have come into the side to cover for their absent colleagues and made an impression, something McCarthy hopes will continue in Huws’s absence.

It’s been great that we’ve had players who have stepped up and played and not sulked if they’ve been out and not been involved,” he reflected.

“We’ve had some good youngsters that have come in, certainly with Tristan Nydam and Flynn Downes and they’ve played their part. Loan players, certainly Callum Connolly playing in midfield.

“People ring me about midfield players and ask if I’d be interested in so and so and I say, ‘Not really because it’s the position where I’ve got most of them’.

“Injured, because that’s how it’s turned out. It shouldn’t be like that but, wow, we’ve had a crippling injury list in the middle of the park.”

Will he be looking for a replacement for Huws? “Yes. Teddy Bishop. I’d like Teddy Bishop to be as fit as he can be and why would I be looking anywhere else if I can get him?

“Flynn Downes has been great, Tristan’s doing great, Tom Adeyemi. That’s what we want back, we want our own players back.”

Is Bishop, who has made two sub appearances since returning to action following groin surgery, ready to start matches? “I don’t think so, not 90 minutes as yet, but he’s ready to play and whenever he’s come on in a couple of games he’s looked far better and he’s training well.”

Photo: TWTD

MyBlueHeaven added 16:00 - Dec 15 Over last 2-3 seasons we've had McGoldrick, Hyam, Bishop, Williams and Huws (twice this season...) suffer long term injuries. And often with relapses. A case of being unlucky, having 'brittle' players - or something else? Seems an unusually high number to me.
2

iaintaylorx added 16:03 - Dec 15 We are all hoping Bishop can be the player alot of us still hope he can be! So much potential! Good luck with the recovery, Huwsy!
4

clive_baker added 17:08 - Dec 15 To be fair, McGoldrick, Huws and Williams were players that had been prone to injury before coming here if I'm not mistaken. Bishop's certainly had his issues, hopefully now he can get 100% fit and take this disappointing news as an opportunity to establish himself back in our side and show the world what he's about as a professional football.
1

Seasider added 17:24 - Dec 15 In 55 years cannot remember the club having as many injuries as they have had in the last 2 years,and are still having them. Things have changed a lot since I started supporting the 'Town'.I don't recall Sir Alf having to make many changes to his League Championship teams,and this was before even one sub was allowed. Treatment on the pitch consisted of Charlie Cowie (think that was his name)running on the pitch with water sloshing out of his bucket,and the player got a wet sponge up his shorts,or wherever the injury was. Not saying that todays players should be treated like this;but coming a bit more up to date recall one of Sir Bobbys players saying at one of the meet the players evenings, about how they went on the lash the evening before a EUFA Cup game on the continent(on bicycles);and the next evenng had a comfortable win. Coming right up to date,perhaps if they let the ball do more of the work,instead of chasing around out of possession then perhaps their limbs,muscles joint etc would not be put under so much strain. I know that an iced bath would probably finish me off;but it did make me smile recently when watching a Premiership match and seeing the subs passing round a hot water bottle !!!

1

rfretwell added 18:40 - Dec 15 If our passing out of defence was at the standard of Butcher, Osman, Burley, Mills, Mark Venus etc our forward players wouldn't have to chase for 50/50 balls. Less wear and tear on the body.
0

Rensham added 19:45 - Dec 15 Who buys a player with an Achilles problem for £1m?
0

Surco72 added 07:53 - Dec 19 I think a lot of our injuries are down to the style of play and lack of possession we have during matches . Although it is at present effective for collecting points it is very physically draining on the players . Add to this a history of signing players with injury problems Varney , Williams , Dids , Huws etc and you have a lot of money going for little pitch time
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls