Brian Cody will have to prepare for life without Jackie Tyrrell and Richie Power ahead of their All-Ireland hurling semi-final with Waterford on August 9.
Cody confirmed at a press briefing yesterday that Tyrrell suffered from a stress fracture in his ankle, an injury he sustained last week at training.
Tyrrell underwent surgery on his foot yesterday and may be a doubt for the All-Ireland final, should Kilkenny see off the Deise.
“Jackie has a stress fracture. He’s out of the equation. He’s being operated on so he certainly has no part to play on Sunday week. That’s for certain," said Cody
"It’s hard to know how long the thing will take after the operation but they’re talking about three or four weeks for certain.
“Obviously we’re all thinking of his hurling career, that his hurling season doesn’t end next Sunday week.
“Whether we win or lose, he has club matches to fulfill as well. So we just hope that he gets back as soon as he can.
“Everybody is hoping that he’ll get back as quickly as possible. But again, it’s an operation so we just don’t know.
“It depends on how the thing proceeds. The healing process takes place afterwards.”
Power in action in the championship last September. Image credit: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Richie Power will also continue to sit out with a knee injury.
"Richie is not in the frame. He has had a really interrupted season this year," he continued.
“He has had no game time, virtually, at all. He’s putting in terrific work behind the scenes and he’s really determined and that.
“He deserves great credit for the way he’s going at it. He’s getting setbacks along the way.
“But he’s definitely ruled out for the next game.”
Regarding the fitness of midfielder Michael Fennelly, Cody also stressed that a lack of game time may be the reason for his absence.
Michael’s season has been very interrupted. He’s not back in training yet either at all.
“He played against Wexford and played very, very well against Wexford.
“He missed the Galway match and since then, his training has been limited to just non hurling. Michael is just trying to get to the stage where he can get back taking part."
Kilkenny go into the game relatively unchallenged so far this year, with convincing victories over Wexford and Galway.
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