Brady can bounce back better than ever

IT looks like being a long year ahead for Robbie Brady, and I wish him all the very best in his recovery from a nasty injury.

Brady (right) had played every Premier League game for Burnley up until his tackle on Leicester’s Harry Maguire last weekend.

And he was in terrific form for his club, being named among the nominees for the Premier League player of the month for November. It’s just a shame the two play-off games against Denmark didn’t go his, or Ireland’s, way. But that’s football.

So are serious injuries, sadly. His injury to his patellar tendon was proof that you can be one second and one challenge away from serious damage. Yes, Premier League players are well paid, but there are dangers.

There will be very little comfort for him in the early weeks but, listening to his Burnley manager Sean Dyche talking this week, the club and doctors are optimistic he will make a full recovery. It’s going to take a while, though.

Ironically, Ireland’s World Cup exit has done him a favour at this difficult time. He doesn’t have to rush back and cut corners to be fit for the summer and he doesn’t have to worry about missing out on a World Cup, if we had made it. Instead he can just concentrate on his rehab and come back as strong as ever.