David McGoldrick will require surgery after suffering a deep gash to his groin following an ‘appalling’ tackle by Sheffield Wednesday captain Glenn Loovens.

Loovens’ studs raked down McGoldrick’s midriff just four minutes into the televised contest at Portman Road, with the Wednesday man escaping even a booking for a challenge which ultimately saw McGoldrick replaced at half-time after he soldiered on in the opening half of a game which ultimately ended 2-2.

Manager Mick McCarthy revealed post match that McGoldrick had been taken to hospital and requires an operation on a gash ‘as big as my finger’, with the Ipswich boss clear in his thoughts on the tackle.

“I didn’t see it (the gash) live, I saw a picture of it and it’s probably as long as my finger and as deep as that,” the Ipswich boss said.

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“I think he will need surgery tomorrow and it’s an appalling challenge. He didn’t mean it, but if I sit here with a gun in my pocket and I kill you then I wouldn’t have meant it because I was just standing up.

“I would still be punished for it. I’ve been in to see Keith (Stroud, referee) and I am the last person who wants to see people get yellow cards and red cards, but I’ve seen it again and it’s a red card.

“It’s a dreadful challenge and it should have been punished as such.

“But, to be clear, it hasn’t had any impact on the result, the performance or how it’s ended. We were better than them with 11 men and we should have beaten them with 11 men.

East Anglian Daily Times: David McGoldrick with a shot in the seventh minute. He would later head to hospital. Picture: STEVE WALLERDavid McGoldrick with a shot in the seventh minute. He would later head to hospital. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

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“I had an unbelievable view of it and I think so had one of his linesman. The fourth official is next to me and has a great view of it.

“It was the most appalling challenge. He didn’t mean to kick him there but he did.

“It’s a non-decision so I can’t call it an awful decision.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Town manager Mick McCarthy pictured at the Ipswich Town v Sheffield Wednesday match. Picture: STEVE WALLERTown manager Mick McCarthy pictured at the Ipswich Town v Sheffield Wednesday match. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

The Blues were heading victory thanks to goals from Joe Garner and Martyn Waghorn, but there was a late sting in the tail as Wednesday striker Atdhe Nuhiu headed home a leveller in added time.