Argyle's Rory Fallon out until October after hernia operation
PLYMOUTH Argyle striker Rory Fallon is expected to be out of action until October after a hernia operation.
The injury ended any prospect of the New Zealand international leaving the League One club before the transfer deadline last Tuesday.
-
Rory Fallon
His contract with the Pilgrims ends next summer, and it is believed they were keen to cash in on him.
Fallon has missed Argyle's last two games in League One because of what was first described as a groin injury.
But it was later confirmed the 28-year-old had a hernia and manager Peter Reid told Herald Sport: "I should imagine he will be out for about a month."
That puts Fallon's involvement in two forthcoming friendlies for New Zealand in considerable doubt.
The All Whites will play Honduras in Auckland on Saturday, October 9 and then take on Paraguay in Christchurch three days later.
Fallon has made 10 appearances for New Zealand and scored three goals.
He started all three of their matches at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
Even if Fallon is fit in time for the games against Honduras and Paraguay, Argyle will be reluctant to see him travel around the world so soon after his injury.
Meanwhile, Argyle's Joe Mason made his debut for Republic of Ireland under-21s when they lost 1-0 away to Switzerland in Lugano on Friday night.
The 19-year-old forward was an 81st minute substitute for Chelsea's Connor Clifford.
Switzerland secured qualification for the 2011 European Under-21 Championship finals in Denmark with the win.
They are guaranteed to finish top of Group 2, after Fabien Frei scored the decisive goal against Ireland in the 47th minute.
Bottom-of-the-table Ireland will play their final qualifier away to Turkey in Kocaeli tomorrow.
Argyle striker Rory Patterson was an unused substitute for Northern Ireland in their 1-0 victory over Slovenia in Maribor on Friday night.
It was a superb start to Northern Ireland's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
The winning goal was scored by Manchester United's 20-year-old midfielder Corry Evans in the 70th minute.
Former Argyle loan signing Craig Cathcart, now at Ian Holloway's Blackpool, made his senior international debut for Northern Ireland at left-back against Slovenia.
Onismor Bhasera started Zimbabwe's 1-1 draw against Liberia in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Paynesville yesterday.
It was his 14th appearance for his country.
The international call-ups for Mason, Patterson and Bhasera meant Argyle's home game against Brighton and Hove Albion, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed.
It was the only fixture in League One not to take place, and the Pilgrims slipped from 17th position to 21st in the table.
Among the teams to overtake them were Devon rivals Exeter City.
They moved up to 14th in the table after beating Charlton Athletic 1-0 at St James' Park, with a late penalty from Ryan Harley.
Reid saw Rochdale cause an upset as they beat Southampton 2-0 at St Mary's Stadium.
Argyle are away to Rochdale, who were promoted from League Two last term, on Saturday, September 25.
20 Comments
View all
by GOM, Plymouth
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 6:48PM
“b_mused: I completely disagree, our "strikers" (bit of a misnomer) are equally as poor and out of their depth as the rest of the squad.
I have been a loyal and regular supporter for 38 years and this is the worst squad in all of that time. Fallon included!”
by b_mused, Saltash
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:14PM
“The appropriate comment to this news is to wish Rory all the best for a speedy recovery. But you wouldn't expect the warped mentality of most of the contributors below to come up with this.
I agree with argyleultra - the failure of our strikers is down to the lousy service they receive from the inadequacies in rest of the team and style of play. Fallon can score from good crosses and not many central defenders like playing against him e.g. Vidic in a pre-World Cup warm up and the Italians.”
by matthew, devon
Monday, September 06 2010, 9:57PM
“At least we only have to endure one more season of Rory Fallon.”
by argyleultra, derby
Monday, September 06 2010, 9:09PM
“we could have david villa & diego forlan up front & we'd still not score.
reason being the quality of service -take a proper look next time we play the ball forward is poor & usually meat and drink to an opposing centre half, most of the chances we have created this season have been shots from outside the box.
we dont penertrate our opponents penalty area enough, good wide play ensures crosses come into the box in uncomfortable areas for opposing defenders - something fallon could get on the end of i hasten to add - BUT service is poor and the ball in is dreadful.
look at how many english league games the likes of molyneaux, ngala , mason, r patterson, parrett & bhasera have played - yes their the nucleous of our side at the minute.
give reid a chance the club is a joke off the field as well as on it - it is a long term project for him.”
by David, Plymouth
Monday, September 06 2010, 7:43PM
“David Blackpool - I made the same comment when Reid was moaning about not having a game on Saturday. They didn't have to request a postponement, they could have utilised some of our bloated squad.
Peter Exeter - Argyle did try to offload the totally useless Fallon but he refused to leave.”