Murphy's law strikes Ipswich 'keeper

Aidan Fitzmaurice

KEEPER Brian Murphy has suffered a cruel blow with the news that he'll miss three months of action with Ipswich Town due to an ankle injury.

The former Bohemians man broke his ankle in training yesterday and while he has not yet undergone surgery, the club have confirmed that he will be out for three months.

Murphy had recently broken back into the first team under Roy Keane, playing in three of their last four games, so the timing of the injury is a bad blow. Meanwhile, his teammate and fellow Irishman Shane O'Connor is glad he stayed on at Portman Road instead of going out on loan.

Cork lad O'Connor had considered a loan move as he was unable to get first-team action under Keane but he returned to the side for last week's clash with Leicester City, a 3-0 win, and was rewarded with a man of the match award.

"There was a chance to go out on loan earlier on in the season," confirmed O'Connor.

"I spoke to the gaffer and he said go with your gut feeling. My gut feeling was to stay, because I knew a lot could happen over Christmas with injuries and suspensions.

"I just had a feeling not to go, so I told him I wanted to stay and the manager said fair enough, stay and fight for your place, which I did.

"I was delighted to get a start. It was a bit surprising," added O'Connor, who was involved in all three goals against Leicester City.

"The manager's very fair. If you keep your head down and you work hard, he always acknowledges you."