Shamrock Rovers will travel to Finland without Danny Mandroiu for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off against KuPS.
The two sides are level after drawing 1-1 at Tallaght Stadium last week, leaving everything to play for in Thursday’s return fixture. However, Stephen Bradley’s preparations have been disrupted by the loss of Mandroiu, who has sustained a hamstring injury.
Mandroiu has travelled to London alongside teammate Danny Grant to receive a specialist assessment. Grant already had an appointment arranged, allowing Rovers to secure an opinion on Mandroiu’s injury without having to wait for another available slot.
“Danny Grant was due to go for an opinion in London. And obviously then when Danny Mandroiu got picked up the knock it made sense to send both of them together,” said Bradley.
You have to wait for some time to get in there so it’s good that we had a slot already booked.”
The injury arrives at a particularly difficult time for Mandroiu, who had been steadily rebuilding his fitness after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during last season’s FAI Cup final.
Rovers have managed his workload carefully since his return, but he had started to find his rhythm again before sustaining the latest problem. Bradley said the setback was frustrating for a player who had worked extensively away from the main group during his rehabilitation.
“It’s tough for him, because we’ve all seen how hard he’s had to work on his own, a lot of them days. He’s come back in brilliant shape. But this is quite normal, although it’s not what we want, it’s why I’ve been trying to manage him so carefully in terms of minutes.”
Rovers Await Specialist Assessment
The full extent of Mandroiu’s hamstring injury is not yet known. Bradley hopes it will not lead to another lengthy absence, although he explained that secondary muscular problems can occur when players return from serious knee injuries.
Changes to a player’s movement, running mechanics and physical loading during rehabilitation can place additional strain on other areas of the body.
“It’s just frustrating for him, but it is quite normal, unfortunately, when you’ve had an injury like he’s had. I think you’ve seen in England the last few weeks, different players coming back from ACL in the Premier League have tweaked hamstrings here and there.
“It’s not ideal but unfortunately your body is changing, mechanics are changing, how you run and all of that is being tweaked. And then obviously load. So, yeah, hopefully it’s not too bad. But it’s just unfortunate because he was getting to a really good place.”
Mandroiu’s absence removes an important attacking option ahead of one of Rovers’ biggest matches of the season. The Irish side must now attempt to complete the job against KuPS without him and secure their place in the league phase of the competition.
There was slightly more encouraging news regarding Dan Cleary and John McGovern. Both travelled with the squad and were due to take part in training as they continue their respective returns to fitness, although Bradley confirmed that neither player would be available for the second leg.
Rovers must therefore negotiate the European decider with a reduced group while waiting to discover how long Mandroiu could be sidelined. The specialist assessment in London should provide greater clarity, but his immediate absence represents a significant setback before the trip to Finland.
