Derby County: Sammie Szmodics update given after serious injury scare | OneFootball

The Ipswich loanee was stretchered off late in Ireland's World Cup qualifying defeat to Czechia

The Republic of Ireland had their World Cup dreams dashed on Thursday night when they were beaten on penalties by Czechia, despite taking a 2-0 lead in the first half.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side had their deficit halved just minutes after an own goal from Matej Kovar put them two-up. When it looked like the Boys in Green were going to hold out for a big win, Wolves' Ladislav Krejci netted with four minutes remaining to send the game to extra time.

As the 120th minute approached, Derby County's Sammie Szmodics was brought on, with the view of being one of the main penalty takers. However, his night was brought to an end almost immediately after landing awkwardly following an aerial collision.

The 30-year-old was stretchered off, with the broadcast cameras opting not to show any replays of the collision, highlighting the severity of the incident.

Sammie Szmodics injury update issued

The Republic of Ireland would go on to lose the eventual shootout 4-3, despite having a 3-2 advantage just moments earlier.

The collision in the air with Stepan Chaloupek left Szmodics unconscious, but according to head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, the 30-year-old has returned to consciousness in hospital.

"Sammie was unconscious on the ground, but we have good doctors, and they took care of him on the grass," the Ireland boss said.

"He's back to consciousness. He's just being tested, checked and monitored, and he will hopefully fly back to Ireland on Friday."

An FA representative from Ireland later revealed that the 30-year-old had been safely discharged from the hospital in Czechia, and he'll continue his recovery with both the national team and at Derby.

Derby County will hope Sammie Szmodics can return to action soon

Evidently, Szmodics will not be available for Ireland's friendly against fellow beaten semi-finalists North Macedonia on Tuesday, with the 30-year-old continuing his recovery from the injury scare against Czechia.

And, with Derby still with an outside shot of making the play-offs, those at Pride Park will be hoping that his injury lay-off won't last too long into the final seven games of the Championship campaign.

Szmodics has started every game since he made the loan switch from Ipswich Town on deadline day, becoming the latest former Blackburn Rovers man to link back up with former boss John Eustace.

While he hasn't scored at the rate he did at Ewood Park under Eustace, he's still chipped in with a couple of important goals to help the Rams' play-off hopes remain alive going into the final month of the campaign.

Taking to X, Szmodics revealed that he was appreciative of the support given to him in the aftermath of his collision, and that he is "on the mend."

Hopefully, that indicates that he likely won't be missing too many more games through injury, although he may likely be absent from the big Good Friday clash against league leaders Coventry City.

Sitting three points behind Southampton in sixth, Szmodics will be hoping that Derby are still within touching distance when he returns, as he could have a major role in the final push to get the Rams in an unlikely play-off spot come May.