Anthony Wordsworth, pictured after cracking three vertebrae in his lower back against Blackpool

TEAM NEWS: Anthony Wordsworth cracked three vertebrae in his back on full Ipswich Town debut

By Stuart Watson Monday, February 18, 2013
2:55 PM

Ipswich v Watford: ANTHONY Wordsworth is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after manager Mick McCarthy revealed that the midfielder cracked three vertebrae in his back during Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Blackpool.

The 24-year-old January signing from Colchester United clashed with keeper Matt Gilks little over half an hour into his full debut for the club. And after trying to play on for five minutes, was eventually taken to hospital.

“He’s not looking very good,” said McCarthy, speaking at this lunchtime’s pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s visit of Watford.

“He’s cracked three vertebrae in his back. It won’t require surgery, it will heal and be fine, but we’re looking at six weeks before he’s doing anything.

“I said to him before the game that Murph (Daryl Murphy) will drift out there wide left, so you make sure you get in the box. He actually said to me afterwards, ‘I thought I better get in the box or the gaffer will kill me!’ I didn’t, but the keeper did!

“He just got turned by the defender, analysing the video, and he got a knee right in the bottom of his back.

“He put his hand up and it looked like a serious one and then when he went back on I thought he must just have been winded.

“It’s a shame because we think he’s going to be a good player for us. He’s a talented footballer.”

Asked if supporter were likely to see Wordsworth again this season, McCarthy quipped: “You’ll see him again – he’s not dead! I know it’s a bad injury, but it’s not that bad!

“I don’t know, is the honest answer to that. Nobody at the club has ever seen an injury like that before. Matt Byard (physio) hasn’t seen an injury like it. We’ll have to wait and see how long it takes to heal naturally.

“There will be treatment and rehab so I don’t know how long he’ll be out.”

Meanwhile, the Blues confirmed that Daryl Murphy – who filled in for Wordsworth on the left of midfield following his injury, substitute Michael Chopra going up front – is fine after picking up a late knock at the weekend.

Keeper Scott Loach and winger Lee Martin also come into contention after recovering from a thumb and groin injury respectively.

“Lee’s fine,” said McCarthy. “Loach has trained today and we’ll have to see if he has any ill effects with that thumb. He’s not reported anything though so should be fine.”

– See tomorrow’s EADT and Ipswich Star for full match preview.

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13 comments

What's with all these double or triple posts? Can't the mods just delete them? They seem keen enough to delete everything save for Norwich troll posts most of the time...

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Pete James

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Wordy and Taylor!! At we’ll have two good and very well rested players back for pre-season!

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Pete James

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Wordy and Taylor!! At we’ll have two good and very well rested players back for pre-season!

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Pete James

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
I see Rob is now a medical expert now as well as being a financial wizard, an expert on the loan system and the world's best football manager bar none. Perhaps I will call him Doctor Steroo from now on as he must have a doctorate in something with all his insight.

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bristan

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
I am glad that Anthony Wordsworth could see the funny side but when reality sets in, he is going to feel very frustrated. I wish him a quick recovery and having just suffered from a hernia myself and an operation pending in March, I can actually feel some of his pain just now! Keep taking the painkillers and the laughing gas my friend and we look forward to seeing proudly wear the Ipswich shirt again in the not too distant future!

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FRANK WESTON

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Try reading things properly Rob. "Six weeks before he's doing anything". i.e running, turning, kicking a ball. You're clutching at straws in your paranoid little world, you really are.

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Andrew Mehen

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
rob steroo get bk under ur bridge ur full of s~it! i wondered how u could be negative on this and get yorkshire and offshore. go bk to ur drunken chief and have fun at carrot road!

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Peter Bland

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
rob steroo get bk under ur bridge ur full of s~it! i wondered how u could be negative on this and get yorkshire and offshore. go bk to ur drunken chief and have fun at carrot road!

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Peter Bland

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Wow. Rob has now added medical expertise to his skill base of financial wizardry, managing football teams, writing seminars on how not to use the loan system and using amusing wordplay to get your point across. Truly a master of all things that appear in his head.

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bristan

Monday, February 18, 2013
sterile.I think Mick the master would know a whole lot more about the players status than a grubby pathetic little internet troll like you.

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Craig Warr

Monday, February 18, 2013
Yorkshire Jewell needs to get his brain in gear before entering Jewell Mode in press conferences. 3 cracked vertebrae is extremely serious and potentialy career ending so it will be a major surprise if Wordsworth is back in action at the Offshore Arena this season.

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Rob Steroo

Monday, February 18, 2013
Poor chap, what bad luck, am sure when you get back to playing you'll live up to expectations.

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JOHN BURLS

Monday, February 18, 2013
The Peterborough signings (and loanee) have all been injured in their early careers at ITFC. Unlucky in the extreme.

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bristan

Monday, February 18, 2013

TEAM NEWS: Anthony Wordsworth cracked three vertebrae in his back on full Ipswich Town debut

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