Ipswich Town’s play-off hopes have been dealt a massive blow after it was revealed 16-goal striker David McGoldrick could be out for the rest of the season.

McGoldrick limped off at the final whistle, against Blackpool on Saturday, with a knee injury and it has since been revealed the former Southampton frontman suffered knee ligament damage and is expected to miss 10 weeks.

“He has suffered a partial tear of the medial ligament in his right knee,” said Town physio Matt Byard.

“He had an MRI scan this morning and will be wearing a brace for the next six weeks. After that, you are looking at the rehabilitation of around four weeks, so in all we’d expect Didz to be out for 10 weeks, which obviously takes us up to the last week of the season.”

That leaves manager Mick McCarthy with eight-goal Daryl Murphy, three-goal Frank Nouble, Paul Taylor (one goal), and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake as his remaining attacking options.

Teenage striker Jack Marriott could be recalled from Woking, while McCarthy also has the option of entering the emergency loan market.

Luke Hyam is another concern for Town after being forced off in the first-half against Blackpool with a hamstring injury.

There is better news on Dean Gerken, who missed the Blackpool game with a ricked neck – and Paul Green, who took a heavy knock during his first start for Blues in the goalless draw.

“Gerks has a neck strain but it’s improved today and if that continues, he should be fit to train later in the week,” added Byard. “Paul took a bad kick on Saturday but again he should be fine for later in the week.”

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