Just when Sean Maguire was starting to show the rest of the world what he's all about.
The former Cork City striker has quickly gone about turning heads over in England with a string of impressive games for Preston North End and, after making his competitive Ireland debut in the win over Moldova, he was recalled to the squad ahead of the World Cup playoff with Denmark.
However, the 23-year-old is said to be out of the Republic's trip to Copenhagen and the return leg as well with Preston North End confirming that he will undergo an operation.
The attacker suffered a hamstring injury in training after the midweek game with Aston Villa where he completed another 90 minutes, this time on the left.
"North End’s Irish international forward Sean Maguire will undergo an operation after picking up an injury to his hamstring," the club confirmed.
"The No.24 has suffered a similar injury to the one that has ruled out Greg Cunningham since the second week of the season and is expected to be out for an extended period.
"The striker will join the likes of Cunningham, Tommy Spurr and Tom Clarke on a rehabilitation programme and the club wishes him a speedy recovery."
Since making the move in the summer, he really hasn't let up from the form he showed in the League of Ireland.
Games for Preston in English Championship
- Starts: 12
- Sub: 1
- Minutes: 1006
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 3
He hit this clinker of an individual effort most recently against Brentford and he did it by roasting Danish centre back Henrik Dalsgaard.
https://twitter.com/billypnefc/status/924558504119107584
He's also been averaging a rating of higher than seven out of 10 in each game, according to a number of sources.
But as the rise and rise of the young man continues, news of his injury is such a blow both personally, for his club, and now for Ireland who head for Denmark next Saturday for the first leg of their playoff.
With Jon Walters injured but still
not completely ruled out, Martin O'Neill named six strike options in his provisional squad.
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Behind Murphy and Long, Maguire would've been next in line - in the manager's head at least, even if others would have him further ahead. Now, it leaves the strikers list even thinner again and the fact that a genuine option in Sean Maguire has been ruled out is worrying.
Preston lost to Ipswich 3-0 on Saturday.
