Brady joins Ogbene on injured list for Nations League tests against Finland and England

The North End left-back fell awkwardly during Saturday’s trip to Plymouth Argyle.

Mon, 28 Oct, 2024 - 17:20

John Fallon

Ireland’s matchwinner against Finland, Robbie Brady, is out of next month’s double-header after sustaining ankle ligament damage PLAYING for Preston North End.

The left-back fell awkwardly during the first half of Saturday’s Championship trip to Plymouth Argyle, forcing his withdrawal.

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom had feared an extended spell on the sidelines for the 32-year-old, raising doubts about his availability for the rematch against Finland on November 14 and trip to Wembley for the concluder against England three days later.

Brady’s assist and goal in Helinski two weeks earned Ireland their sole victory from four Uefa Nations League matches so far, a come-from-behind 2-1 win.

“It’s a nasty ankle one,” said Heckingbottom on Monday, who’d spoken about the swelling post-match.

“He obviously jumped for the header, came down and landed on the lad’s foot - which has meant he’s flipped his ankle. So, he has got ankle ligament damage there and we are talking weeks.

“We won’t be seeing Robbie for a bit. Hopefully, when we do get him back, we get him back in the place we left him - because he was performing really well for us.”

Heimir Hallgrimsson was already without injured pair Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) and Will Smallbone (hamstring), while debutant Jack Taylor is rated doubtful after missing Ipswich Town’s weekend game, also with hamstring trouble.

The Icelander is due to name his squad on Thursday week, November 7.