Injury nightmare hits Connacht

Editor

Connacht have been left counting their injured players as Eoin McKeon, Darragh Leader and Quinn Roux are set for spells on the sidelines.

As attention returns to the Challenge Cup, the Connacht medical team have provided a worrying update after last Friday's clash with Cardiff Blues.

Craig Ronaldson was concussed in the first-half of the match at the Blues. He will undergo the normal return-to-play protocols, as will scrum-half Kieran Marmion, who was concussed at the start of the second-half in the PRO12 game at Cardiff Arms Park.

"Eoin McKeon sustained an elbow medial ligament tear. While the Galway man does not require surgery, he is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks," read a statement from the Irish province, released on Monday.

"Darragh Leader fractured the second metacarpal in his hand. He is awaiting surgical review but is expected to be sidelined for two months.

"Second-row Quinn Roux sustained a ruptured ankle syndesmosis in Cardiff. The South African is awaiting surgical review today but is expected to be out of action for up to three months."

The statement continued: "Ian Porter suffered an ankle ligament sprain but the injury has settled well in past 24 hours. It is hoped that the scrum half will be available for this Friday's European Challenge Cup clash with Newcastle Falcons at the Sportsground.

"Bundee Aki (ankle), captain John Muldoon (calf) and Ronan Loughney (back) all sat out training today and there is a question mark over their availability for this week.

"Ben Marshall re-fractured his forearm in training last week. The 25-year-old second row, who returned to play for Connacht Eagles last month, underwent surgery last Thursday but is now facing another three months on the sidelines.

"Andrew Browne (hand laceration) and Danie Poolman (hamstring) are both training this week and are hopeful returnees for this week's Round Three date with Newcastle in Galway."