Kenny backs Ward to 'come back stronger'

Dundalk were rocked this week with the news that midfielder Keith Ward has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury and speaking to Extratime.ie, manager Stephen Kenny admitted that it is a big loss to the side and praised the midfielder for his effort this season.

“Keith is a big loss to us. He has had an excellent season so far. He has shown his quality and his versatility in a number of different roles this season. He has been outstanding and will be a big miss.

“I have deployed him in several roles – at the top of the diamond behind the front two, off the main striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation and even out on the left in certain games recently. I utilised him in various positions and he has been fantastic.”

Ward has started 15 of the 17 league matches this term appearing as a used substitute in the others. Kenny spoke of how in both the games he didn’t start, he made a massive contribution.

“The two times I have left him out of the starting XI were for tactical reasons but both times he came on and changed the game. Against Drogheda United in March, he came on when were 2-0 down and totally transformed us. Then last week against St. Pat’s, he was terrific when he came on this time in a centre midfield role. He was so inventive in both those games it’s very disappointing that he is out.”

The former Bohemians manager bemoaned the injury as ‘unfortunate’ as ‘Wardy’ hasn’t had an injury of note.

“I always said to Keith that he’d never get injured because he’d never tackle!” he joked. “It’s really unfortunate. He never missed a day of training, he was always there and he’s never had an injury in his life.

“It’s just unfortunate that he has planted his foot in the ground and turned the other way leading to the injury.”

Despite the injury, the former Candystripe gaffer has backed the young midfielder to make a full recovery and come back even stronger when he recovers.

“I have no doubt he’ll come back stronger. He is only 22, it’s easy to forget that he is still a young player. He has years ahead of him. It’s a setback to him. He’s full of energy around the place not only in training but in general he is full of life.

“He will come back stronger from this and he’ll be a better player.”