Steve Staunton has ruled Damien Duff out of Republic of Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which means he may not be fit for new Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce before November.
Duff underwent foot surgery two weeks ago and Staunton does not expect the player to return to action for another five or six months.
Staunton, whose Ireland side face Ecuador in a friendly in America on Wednesday, still have four qualifiers left to play, with trips to Slovakia and Czech Republic and home dates with Cyprus and Germany fulfilling their programme.
Ireland do not host the Germans until November, but Staunton has already ruled Duff out of the reckoning.
"It's six months but it depends on when he gets the cast off. Who knows what we're looking at but it's at least five to six months," said Staunton.
"I think we'll be planning [without him] for the campaign because he'll only be regaining his fitness. If he comes back before that, brilliant for us. And if he doesn't, well, I will have planned without him."
allentyb
goodness, why is, everytime, i read news about him, is always he being injury, newcastle should offload him!
used
get used to it he will always be injured
zocoss
Well, he is still getting a very handsome weekly salary of around $60 to $70 k... So no worry for him...
iceFatboy
with Big Sam adopting the science of eating right and exercise right, I believe it will benefit Newcastle players in the long run, and see these "sick-birds" back in action.
lalaTearz
miss the days when duff in chelsea....hes gd player..duno y mourinho sell him off juz to play 4-4-2...y not sell SWP off!!