Ireland have been dealt another injury blow ahead of March’s World Cup play-off against Czechia. Stoke City manager Mark Robins confirmed on Friday that Bosun Lawal has suffered a “significant” hamstring injury which will keep him out for around six weeks. Ireland face Czechia on March 26.
The versatile 22-year-old Lawal, who can operate in defence and midfield, was one of Heimir Hallgrimsson’s options to replace Josh Cullen. The Burnley midfielder sustained a season-ending ACL injury in late December.
“He will be rightly disappointed,” said Robins.
“I think it’s difficult when you lose players, any player. We’ve spoken before about the squad size and the depth to it and that started to look pretty good and pretty healthy – until it didn’t, then it becomes a challenge.
“For Bosun and all the injured players it’s not a pleasant time for them. Some of the injured players start to make inroads into that and then become ill, which sets them back.
“It’s frustrating for everybody. You’ve got to deal with it. It’s the time of the year for people picking up illness and if you’ve got kids you know what it’s like. It’s all those things that you have to factor into a recovery period, which is why I don’t like giving time frames.
“The physios seem to now have a handle on long it takes for reach individual to repair and you can give a rough guide but you try to treat each player, treat the symptoms and when they dissipate try to make sure you’re not putting them at any risk, any stupid risk, so they can come back safely – and then be ready to play and hopefully stay fit.
“We have had too many that have been long-term injuries through impact.”
After a first season at Stoke which was curtailed by a back problems, Lawal has started to show glimpses of his abilities for the club this season as he’s made 26 appearances in all competitions.
Injuries have also stalled his chances to have an impact with the Irish senior team. He would likely have featured in last summer’s friendlies Senegal and Luxembourg.
