Mick McCarthy says Daryl Murphy risks missing the European Championships if he returns from injury before he is ready.

The striker has been sidelined with a calf problem picked up while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland last month and has been ruled out of Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough.

“We want him back with us but he has to be careful that he doesn’t come back before he is 100 per cent right,” the Town boss told the Club website.

“If he does, it could go again and that could be him out of the Euros. 

“I was fortunate to have played in the Euros in 1988 and the World Cup in 1990 with Ireland, when we reached the quarter-finals. They are among the real highlights of my career. 

“They were fantastic football occasions and Murph deserves the chance to enjoy that spectacle as well this summer. He has earned it.”

Luke Varney is also sidelined for the trip to the Riverside with a hamstring problem.