Keiren Westwood latest to join Republic of Ireland’s growing injury list

While Darren Randolph was earning plaudits for his role in helping Middlesbrough keep a clean sheet against Preston – including one fine save to deny ex-Cork City man Sean Maguire – his Ireland understudy Keiren Westwood was having a much less happy time of it in the Championship on Saturday.

Caught dangerously late and hard on the follow-through as he attempted to clear the ball, the 32-year-old needed six minutes of treatment and, despite attempting to resume playing, was forced off after 35 minutes in Sheffield Wednesday’s 1-1 draw away to Burton Albion.

Westwood later tweeted a picture of his heavily bruised knee, with the comment: “Think I’m lucky I rode the challenge. Would hate to think what might have happened. Please God, it’s just bruising and not ligament damage.”