Why Rotherham United attacker Josh Kayode won't play again this season

YOUNG Rotherham United striker Josh Kayode's ill-fated season has been brought to an end by his third serious injury since the summer.

The Republic of Ireland youth international, who has been on loan at MK Dons, needs an operation to repair quad damage sustained in training with the League One club.

The 22-year-old won't play again in this campaign as he undergoes his rehabilitation.

Kayode moved to MK after suffering a pre-season hamstring tear that wrecked his chances of challenging for a place in the Millers' Championship squad.

However, he picked up a knee problem with the Dons and has been restricted to just ten goalless outings.

The forward suffered his latest blow as he closed in on a comeback, having not played since October.

“The boy was devastated when it happened,” said MK head coach Mark Jackson who took over from sacked boss Liam Manning in December and never got to see Kayode in action.

“Sometimes, when you see a player afterwards you can't console them. All you can do is put your arm around them and tell them you're there for them.

"I've been in that position as a player, coming back from an injury and immediately picking up another one, so I know how he feels.

“Even in the games he played, he was feeling his knee. He wasn’t feeling himself, so there’s an air of frustration from him, and the fans too who didn’t get to see the real 'JJ'.

"He’s a fantastic player, I’ve spoken to enough people about him to know he’s a real threat. It’s just a shame we’ve lost him.”

Kayode had been due to spend all season with the Dons and, at this stage, it is unclear whether he will return to South Yorkshire or remain with his loan club.

“I don't know whether he'll go back to Rotherham to complete his rehab there," Jackson said. "While he's here he'll get all the necessary support from the staff.

“He'll come back from it, and hopefully have a long career in the game.”

The attacker made 29 appearances - mainly from the bench - in the Millers' third-tier promotion push last term, scoring twice.

He flew over from Ireland to join Rotherham's youth set-up when he was 16 and has a contract at AESSEAL New York Stadium until the summer of 2024.

The latest injury was described as a "freak" occurrence by Jackson.

“JJ was doing everything right, he was looking strong but as he went through one action he damaged his quad," the head coach said.

"He'd worked so hard to get back and it came out of the blue."