Dundalk FC manager Jon Daly has revealed that midfielder Paul Doyle is set to miss the rest of the season with a broken fifth metatarsal.

Doyle had only recently returned from an eight-game absence following a hamstring injury picked up early on in the Louth Derby win over Drogheda United at Oriel Park in July.

The 26-year-old Mayo man made his comeback in Dundalk’s last home outing against Bohemians three weeks ago. He also started in the draw in Galway seven days later, where he was withdrawn at half-time, but he has suffered a fresh setback.

Doyle is one of a number of absentees for Dundalk who must beat double-chasing Derry City at Oriel on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm) if they are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation from the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division, with just three games left to play.

“We’ve a few still out injured that have been missing for a number of weeks now, Jamie Walker, Dan Pike and Josh O’Connor,” Daly said in his team news bulletin ahead of Dundalk’s final Friday night of 2024 on the Carrick Road.

“We’ve also been really unfortunate in the last week picking up some fresh injuries. Paul Doyle has broken his fifth metatarsal in his foot and Bobby Faulkner has tweaked his hamstring again. I’d imagine all of the above will be out for the remainder of the season.”

There is, however, good news from the camp. “On a positive note,” Daly added, “Robbie Benson and his wife Dearbhla welcomed their son Senan into the world on Sunday morning. The group are delighted for them both as we know it’s been a stressful few weeks for them waiting on their son to arrive.”

All at Dundalk FC send our congratulations to Robbie and Dearbhla on the birth of their baby boy!

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