Fitzgerald out for up to six months

Ireland winger Luke Fitzgerald could be out for up to six months after sustaining an injury in an awkward collision against Australia last Sunday.

Following medical review and scans of his left knee, it has been confirmed that Fitzgerald sustained a ruptured lateral collateral ligament that will require surgical repair and intensive post operative rehabilitation.

He is scheduled for surgery at the Sports Surgery Clinic on Tuesday, with a projected recovery period of four to six months.

The Ireland squad transferred to their Killiney base today ahead of their second game in the 2009 Guinness Series against Fiji in the RDS next Saturday (kick off: 5.15pm).

The six day turnaround will mean a truncated preparation for the Ireland team and 14 players have been added to the squad for this week.

This includes several players who were involved in the Ireland A win over Tonga such as Andrew Trimble, Shane Horgan and Brett Wilkinson.

The Ireland squad will train tomorrow and the team to play Fiji will be announced at 1.15pm at the team hotel.

Ireland Squad Additions (in addition to players available from match 22 v Australia):

Tony Buckley

Gordon D'Arcy

John Fogarty

Chris Henry

Shane Horgan

Denis Hurley

Felix Jones

Sean O'Brien

Devin Toner

Andrew Trimble

Brett Wilkinson

Fergus McFadden

Kevin McLaughlin

Peter Stringer