Walters has strength to come back from injury blow

IF ANY player can come back from another serious injury it is Ireland striker Jon Walters.

But having just turned 35 last week, the achilles injury he has suffered this week will be very difficult to overcome.

With so few strikers to choose from, the loss of Walters ahead of the Nations League double header against Wales and Denmark is a huge blow to Ireland and manager Martin O’Neill.

Walters (right) had gone to Ipswich Town to get games this season and I am sure Ireland was in his mind when he accepted the loan move from Burnley.

Having spent most of last season on the treatment table and in rehab, this fresh injury is a huge blow and it is going to be another long battle back to fitness.

Walters is now back at Burnley to start his recovery. He will rejoin a few members of the Irish squad at Turf Moor.

Last season, O’Neill could have gone to a Burnley match and be guaranteed to see Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Ward, Robbie Brady and Kevin Long in action.

Now, Hendrick, Ward and Long have all been in and out of the starting line-up and Brady is close to a return after injury. He played 82 minutes in an Under-23 game this week and must have an outside chance of being named by O’Neill in his squad on Thursday. It will be great to see Brady back for club and country.