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 👌🏽🤘🏽 pic.twitter.com/419qfHBvUe– AD23 (@andredozzell) March 15, 2018

Photo: TWTD

jas0999 added 19:17 - Mar 15 ... probably all that battering into other players. Garner has been okay, but for me Waghorn was the better signing. Excellent value and an all round better player.
11

carsey added 19:24 - Mar 15 Garner infuriates me the way he throws himself to the ground constantly but no doubt he annoys the opposition defenders more. We have certainly missed his presence the last couple of games so hopefully he makes a full recovery.
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markytitfc added 19:26 - Mar 15 I reckon garner Must of had that fractured skull before the Norwich game. explains why I kept falling over!
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Mark added 19:57 - Mar 15 A shame for Garner, but at least he can now sort the shoulder out. Naturally with our main target man out and the season effectively over you'd think that we would bring our new target man Drinan into the team. When we signed him McCarthy said "He hasn't looked out of place. The only frustrating thing is he hasn't been able to play, but he's ready to go now". Let's give him a chance, as surely if he can win a few headers that would be better than hitting long balls to a lone Freddie Sears!

15

pup12 added 20:03 - Mar 15 I've heard a rumour that people who are protesting about mick are asking crowd to stay away from Millwall game. Is there any truth in this???
1

wayway added 20:30 - Mar 15 Facebook group 'Marcus Evans Out Of ITFC', is one pup12 but I have heard of several others
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heathen66 added 20:44 - Mar 15 If only we had Keifer Moore...
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BlueMachines added 21:40 - Mar 15 Probably gained from hitting his head on the floor after a particularly elaborate dive
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pazzy added 21:56 - Mar 15 garner has been a great signing our very own grant holt a think he leads the line well with waggy 2 great captures
5

howdonblue added 23:07 - Mar 15 All the best joe . I think he and waghorn have been superb signings this season with everything that has happened. Imagine if they had a half decent team around them
2

WaffleMan added 23:12 - Mar 15 Must be all the long balls he's trying to flick on. Fair play to the lad, I rate him a lot. I think if he had the right service then he could score 20+ but let's be realistic what service does he even get. I wouldn't fancy playing for ITFC if I were a striker must be awful
2

keighleyblue added 07:31 - Mar 16 Ouch. Wishing you a speedy recovery Joe.
4

BrettenhamBlue added 07:34 - Mar 16 Have a speedy recovery Joe.
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:26 - Mar 16 hope this wont lead to a lack of goals at home ! ......oh there already is a lack of goals at home .
2

pup12 added 08:56 - Mar 16 Thanks way _way. 👍🏻
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poldark added 09:30 - Mar 16 Oh so he he did break is jaw and other parts of skull strange seemed ok on pre match warm up odd now out for season strange goings on at PR
0

planetblue_2011 added 10:12 - Mar 16 Oh dear that's all we need Garner being injured, doesn't sound very good either. Oh well at least Mick has Sears for his ideal replacement haha!
3

dangerous30 added 10:14 - Mar 16 All the best joe and speedy recovery. Nice too see Andre Dozzell training on grass hopefully we have a better season with injuries next season.
3

oldbri added 11:58 - Mar 16 I hope that you are back soon , Joe. We have been unlucky with injuries , this season. If we had all our lads back we would have a very good team The team have done a good job to keep us as high in the table ,as we are especially with all the negative support.For a team , that cost next to nothing , to be in our position , is remarkable. Mick has done a good job ,finding players, that want to play for Ipswich and on a limited budget and is limited by how much Marcus wants to contribute.If Mick is hounded out ,are we imagining a sudden surge of transfer money coming into the club from Marcus. Careful what you wish for boys. These are very sad days.

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tempzzzz added 14:07 - Mar 16 Get well soon Joe, great player who could be even better if he had quality players around him. Might as well try the youth out, we're not going anywhere now anyway, nothing to play for. Give the (hopefully) new manager a glimpse of what our youth is capable of as he'll no doubt get buttons to spend as well.
1

Swansea_Blue added 15:57 - Mar 16 I had no idea his skull was particularly small
0

Gcon added 16:20 - Mar 16 Oh come on! It's only a fractured skull...
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Dissboyitfc added 19:37 - Mar 16 Oldbri... apart from saving us when he did from certain relegation and a fortunate season when we got into the play-offs playing hoofball, what has MM ever given us? Has he given us a cup run? has he provided much in the way of entertainment? have we done a giant killing? Do the supporters leave Portman rd feeling they have had value for money? Does he realise what this club means to its supporters? The answer is no to all these question is no! Let me tell you what he has given us, the Fxzk off gesture, the up yours when change is needed in a game, the most negative pathetic type of football i have ever witnessed at portman road. He has given us our lowest league position in 50 years. He has driven away Half the supporters, may never get them back either! People keep spouting on about lack of funds, do you really think the style would change? he would get in bigger defenders who kick the ball higher and further and make less mistakes! What not to like? Lets put it another way, what is there to like? Nothing is the answer its all awful and he we need shot of him asap!!! McCarthy leaving is top of my wish list!!!

2

oldbri added 10:17 - Mar 17 Dissboyitfc, Thanks for your reply to my post. I did not say Mick was brilliant or that he was the best man for our club .What part of my post did you diss - agree with. was it , 1/ If we had all our lads back we would have a very good team ,2/ The team have done a good job to keep us as high in the table ,as we are especially with all the negative support. 3/ a team , that cost next to nothing , to be in our position , is remarkable. 4/ Mick has done a good job ,finding players, that want to play for Ipswich and on a limited budget and is limited by how much Marcus wants to contribute. 5/If Mick is hounded out ,are we imagining a sudden surge of transfer money coming into the club from Marcus. I am just sad that the club is ,as it is and think that the real problem lies with the owner.

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Dissboyitfc added 12:44 - Mar 18 i dont agree that MM has done a good job, a good job would include a cup run( or even victory) entertainment of some kind. MM has signed 98 players since he joined i heard quoted. The negativity is totally done to him! Its the awful football and the the fans he is driving away! He has kept us in the division with awful football and that is not good, its ok for some but not most of the people. And one final thought and we will never know the answer to this, In the year we made the play-offs had he not persisted with certain players out of position, we might have just made it! No he wanted to keep his mates happy!

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