John McGreal has described his year as an 'absolute nightmare' as he comes to terms with yet another injury setback.

The Ipswich Town defender was hoping to stake a place in the Blues' first team for the remaining two league fixtures as they battle for a play-off spot.

But McGreal's dreams were dashed in his comeback match for the reserves in their 1-1 draw against West Ham on Tuesday evening.

Midway through the first half the 31-year-old defender was carried off with knee ligament damage following a challenge from Daryl McMahon.

A dejected McGreal told the Evening Gazette: "I was feeling good going into the game. I was fit and my knee had not caused me any problems for a couple of months.

"But even if I was 100 per cent fit it wouldn't have mattered. It was an innocuous challenge but caused a lot of damage.

"I just remember going in for the tackle and my leg getting trapped.

"But I can't really recall what happened after that because I was in so much pain."

McGreal will learn the extent of his injury later today following a scan last night.

It is a similiar injury to the one he picked up in Town's 1-1 draw at Brighton in December.

Published Thursday, April 17, 2003

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