Defender to have surgery and faces three months on the sidelines
The New Zealand international sustained a slipped disc in the defeat at Reading last Friday and will need an operation to reduce the compression on the nerve.
“Tommy was suffering with his back at Reading. He has been checked out and sadly he is going to need an operation,” Town boss Mick McCarthy told the Club website.
“It looks as though we are looking at three months which is a blow for us and obviously for him.
“Adam [Webster] came in and did great at Derby but Tommy’s absence does leave us lighter in numbers at the back and we certainly don’t want another injury in that area.”
There is much better news for Freddie Sears, who has recovered from a groin injury and is in the squad for Saturday’s game against Aston Villa.