Davy Fitzgerald provides update on his many injured Waterford stars

The Déise's next league outing is away to Cork on Sunday, February 25. So, who of the missing 12 will be present for Round 3 duty?

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN: Much of Davy Fitzgerald’s post-match chat was spent detailing who is missing, why they are missing, and when might they return. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Much of Davy Fitzgerald’s post-match chat was spent detailing who is missing, why they are missing, and when might they return.

Waterford’s next league outing is away to Cork on Sunday, February 25. So, who of the missing 12 will be present for Round 3 duty?

Calum Lyons, named to start against Clare but who didn’t end up featuring, will be available. As will Peter Hogan, though definitely not the full 70 minutes for the returning Ballygunner man.

Hogan’s clubmate, Dessie Hutchinson, “needed to get rehab” after the club season and he appears to be slightly behind Hogan in terms of stepping back inside the whitewash.

Jack Fagan returns from a wedding in Australia the day of the Cork game, so he’s not an option. Jamie Barron is another who won’t feature. The three-time All-Star is currently sidelined because of “bad bruising” to his hip bone.

Tadhg de Búrca's return is a maximum of three weeks away. The centre-back has been out of action since his Achilles injury on the opening weekend of championship 2023 last April.

“Tadhg, we can see him on the field in probably two to three weeks, which is a thing Tadhg maybe thought himself when that injury happened last year that he wouldn't see himself playing again. I think he is going to play in two to three weeks, which is massive,” said Davy.

Kieran Bennett has another four to six weeks to run before he’s good to go, while the Waterford medical team will assess the hamstring injury that forced brother Stephen off during yesterday’s second-half.

“I am afraid to go in and see because he was just mad to get a run of games,” Davy replied when asked about Bennett’s injury.

“He missed three or four league games last year, so he just wants to get a run and try and get that fitness up in the games because we are not training him that hard because of what he has injury-wise. Games like this are where he can really work on his fitness.”

With so many first-team regulars coming back in dribs and drabs, the Waterford management won’t have many League outings where they can name a starting 15 that will closely resemble what will be put out on the opening weekend of championship in mid-April.

“I'd like to have them all; I just can't do anything about it. We're going to go out against Cork, and Cork are going to be absolutely like lunatics.

“Having no points on the board, they have to throw the kitchen sink at it. We're going to be under pressure. I take heart from new fellas we're bringing on. If I'm the Waterford public, all I can ask for is that lads are going out there fighting tooth and nail.

“As much as I want to play someone, I'm not going to. Maybe ten years (ago), I would be forcing guys to go out. Now, it's about their health number one. Unfortunately, we're missing a lot but we showed plenty of character today which I'm happy about.”