Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe has told the club’s website that on-loan Tottenham striker Troy Parrott might be out injured until after the World Cup – after a hamstring injury against Norwich on Saturday, during his celebration.
It was a moment of pure elation, followed by bitter disappointment. Ireland international Parrott, 20, finally scored his first goal for Preston in the Championship – his second of the season. It came as a winner against Norwich, a 3-2 win.
A surprise result. Coming into the match, Preston had only scored four and conceded four in 12 league games. So, both teams scoring and five in one match was a shock. But the way Parrott got injured might be even more surprising.
Indeed, Lancs Live reported in a player ratings piece that Parrott suffered the hamstring injury during his celebration of the goal. Joy, followed by the opposite. Lowe gave an update on Parrott’s injury on Tuesday, and it is not good news.
“We won’t have him for the foreseeable future, but after the World Cup when we’re back, hopefully he’s fit and ready, so it’ll give us enough time not to rush. We’re in dialogue with Tottenham as well now because he’s their player.”
Lowe: On-loan Tottenham striker Parrott out until after World Cup
It is a bitter blow for all involved. Parrott showed on Saturday that when given the attacking freedom to go and score goals, he can do it at Championship level. It leaves Preston without one of their most-potent attacking players.
For Parrott, it is a crucial stage of his development that he will now have to spend on the sidelines. For Tottenham, the goal might have kickstarted Parrott’s loan – and given them a player next summer ready to provide cover up front.
But the injury has come at a bad time. However, as Lowe says, it could be worse. The World Cup – with Ireland not qualifying – gives Parrott the chance to recover fully before being ready to again.
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