Ireland
Fergus McFadden doubtful for Ireland's autumn Tests
ESPN Staff
October 6, 2014
Ireland's Fergus McFadden exploits some space, Ireland v Russia, Rugby World Cup, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, New Zealand, September 25, 2011
Fergus McFadden ...touch and go for the autumn internationals © Getty Images
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Winger Fergus McFadden is a major doubt for Ireland's autumn Test series after being ruled out of action for six weeks with an ankle injury.

McFadden suffered a "pretty significant" ankle strain in Leinster's 34-23 Guinness Pro12 defeat to Munster on Saturday. McFadden's Leinster team-mate Luke Fitzgerald is also facing a race against time to return from long-term groin trouble for Ireland's November Tests.

"Ferg obviously was a pretty high-profile departure, he's reported significantly better than we had hoped post-game," said Leinster boss Matt O'Connor. "And it looks like a pretty significant ankle strain which will tie him down for about six weeks, but no surgery or other intervention which is really positive.

"He didn't look in a great place and you always fear the worst when guys are stretchered off the field with a lower leg injury. He's recovered quite well and the scan results were positive, so it's crack on now with the rehab and try and get him back out on the park as quickly as possible."

Fitzgerald has not played since suffering groin trouble in March and will still require a fortnight of reintegration once back to full fitness before he can return to action. "How long is a piece of string?" O'Connor said when asked when he would return. "Jokes aside Luke's progressing really well, he's putting in some positive strides; he's not very far away. What we've outlined with him and the medical staff is that once he's running flat out and changing direction we'll bring him back into the rugby programme and see how he progresses.

"When that happens there's probably a two-week window where he needs to do the rugby training, he's missed a hell of a lot of the rugby programme since Christmas. So we need to give him the best chance to get his groin right then get reacquainted with a rugby ball and his team-mates."

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