Poults out for 4 months

Ian Poulter will be out of golf for the next four months with a foot injury, and looks likely to miss the Ryder Cup, at least in a playing role.

Poulter has been dealing with an arthritic join in his right foot for more than two years, and it has reached the point where it is painful to walk and practice.

Poulter's doctor, Ara Suppiah, said the arthritic joint has worsened over the past 12 months, and that Poulter was only able to keep playing after several cortisone shots.

Suppiah said further shots would risk thinning the bones and leading to stress fractures, which could sideline from the game him completely.

Poulter missed the last two cuts on the PGA Tour in Texas and has fallen to No. 85 in the world, his lowest ranking since 2003, and has not won since the HSBC Champions back in 2012.

"I am obviously disappointed to be in this situation, especially during a Ryder Cup year," Poulter said.

"Right now, rest and rehab take priority in me returning to full strength later this season. I look forward to resuming a full schedule as soon as I am able."

Poulter has an exemplary 12-4-2 record in five Ryder Cup appearances, and set the foundations for Europe’s stunning victory at Medinah when he turned the tide at the end of day two with five birdies in a row.

Poulter would receive a major medical extension on the PGA Tour for the 2015-16 season if he doesn't play the rest of the year. He remains exempt on the European Tour based on his No. 7 standing on the career money list.

But without competitive golf for four months, it would be very diffcult for Captain Darren Clarke to select him, regardless of past form. With the Ryder Cup being played in the USA, we think that Clarke needs to find a way of keeping him in the set up, and bringing Europe's talisman to the fore. He knows how to rankle the Americans, and he's worth a plane ticket for that alone.

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Click here or on the image below to read about Darren Clarke's Vice Captains picks