Blues midfielder Alan Judge has described the injury he suffered while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland earlier this month as “a six-weeker”.

The 30-year-old underwent surgery a fortnight ago, three days after breaking his arm having come on as a sub in the Euro 2020 qualifier in Denmark.

Having spent a lengthy spell out after breaking his leg at Portman Road in April 2016 while a Brentford player, Judge might be viewed as injury prone, however, the Dubliner says he's not had too many during his career.

“People say I’ve had no luck. I’ve had two injuries in my career, this is the second,” Judge said in an interview with The42.

“I had one big one which kept me out for two years and everyone says that I’ve had injury after injury. I’ve had two injuries. It just seems to happen that I break bones.

“It’s a six-weeker, and you could pull your hamstring and be out for six weeks.

"Obviously, you feel hard done by, but there’s no point sitting around moping about it because you’ll get nowhere.

“Had I done that the first time I wouldn’t have got close to playing against Denmark.”

Judge, who is expected to miss Town’s pre-season games in Germany but is likely to be back in action in the domestic friendlies and ready for the start of the season proper, outlined how the injury occurred.

“We had a bit of spell down the right-hand side, Jeff [Hendrick] put a ball down the side and I went for it,” he recalled.

“Maybe, the last ten seconds, I probably should have held my position. But I went for the ball, got there before him [Kasper Dolberg] and he nudged me.

"I don’t think there was anything in it — he just nudged me, and that happens all the time in games. But the minute I fell — I could hear the crack in my arm. I knew straight away.”

He added: “I knew it wasn’t going to be that bad and that it would only be a few weeks but after playing the few minutes I had, and having got myself on the pitch, already I was thinking, ‘Gee, I could have a chance of starting on Monday [against Gibraltar in another qualifier].’”

Judge doesn’t believe Town’s drop into League One will impact upon his international aspirations: “If I get my arm healthy, then I’ll kick on. I have to perform. As long as I’m performing it doesn’t matter if I’m playing in the Championship or League One.

“Especially under Mick [McCarthy] — I know he likes me as a player, he tried to sign me a few times, which is a good thing.

“He showed faith in me to put me on in the Denmark game, and a lot of people would have thought to put others on.”

Judge is already working in the gym and says he is in no way daunted by having to make a comeback this particular injury: “Ah no, I’ve had a lot worse in my career. This is nothing.”

Photos: Action Images/Claus Birch

robmonkey007 added 17:39 - Jun 22 Vital player for our promotion chase. Speedy recovery and enjoy the season.......lots of goals and assists.
12

Suffolkboy added 17:45 - Jun 22 Character and optimism seem to define this player. : just what we need ! COYB
10

Northstander_Blue added 17:59 - Jun 22 Only we could get an injury during the close season
3

algarvefan added 18:05 - Jun 22 I think we have yet to see the best of Judge, he's a quantity player and essential to our team this coming season.
6

Len_Brennan added 18:18 - Jun 22 Looking forward to seeing Judge link up with Norwood, so it's a pity that they are not getting an early opportunity to gel on the trip to Germany. Lambert would appear to see them playing the roles of Hoolahan & Holt from his Norwich days. It was a very successful formula for him then, so hopefully these two can match or even exceed his expectations, and ours.
7

jas0999 added 18:38 - Jun 22 A very key player for us next season. Speedy recovery.
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ArnieM added 18:47 - Jun 22 As long as he doesn't miss too much of ore season. Players that do always seem to be playing catch up all the season.
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Linkboy13 added 19:30 - Jun 22 Like judges attitude fine professional and our best signing since Jim Magilton who remember got us to the premier league single handed against Bolton what a night.
6

essextractorboy93 added 20:53 - Jun 22 Judge seems like a great guy and character to have around the place. His experience in the dressing room is a positive aspect too. In terms of his injury I think he will be given a bit of additional time off because he was on international duty. We don't need to take any unnecessary risks with this injury as he will be a key player for us this season. He'll be able to do fitness work but nothing too physical for the first 2 or 3 weeks. Such an exciting player to have though

5

runningout added 20:54 - Jun 22 Every player is, or should be vital.
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1RWR added 08:23 - Jun 23 Linkboy13: I still play that game every now & again, never experienced an atmosphere nor a game like it.....& probably never will. Pure magic!
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Linkboy13 added 20:34 - Jun 24 Yes 1RWR Jim was like a man possessed that night such passion not much passion at the club now least not on the pitch.
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