Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark will miss the Euro 2020 play-off against Slovakia next month, with the player having been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The Newcastle man suffered ankle ligament damage during the heavy defeat to Arsenal on February 16th, being withdrawn in the 83rd minute. It had been unclear how serious the injury was, but he did look to be in a race against time to be fit for the Slovakia trip.
However, it is reported that Steve Bruce has acknowledged he will be without the player for the remainder of the campaign.
Clark has been a major part of the Newcastle side over the past few months, earning rave reviews for his performances as part of a five-man defence. Having initially been frozen out at the start of the campaign, he had gone on to establish himself as one of Ireland's form players this season.
This will come as a blow to Mick McCarthy, who had been hoping he would be fit for the Slovakia game.
It could also leave him somewhat short in that area of the pitch. Shane Duffy has suffered a number of injury problems this season, most recently a blood clot in his leg. While he has returned from that particular ailment, it will be hoped he can avoid any further knocks in the coming weeks.
Blackburn's Derrick Williams is also out injured at the moment, while Kevin Long, who could be next in line based on McCarthy's previous selections, has played only two minutes of league football for Burnley this season.
Darragh Lenihan, who has been in fine form for Blackburn, now looks almost certain to be included in the squad for the trip to Slovakia.
