Ian Poulter wanted at the Ryder Cup

• Players want injured Ian Poulter involved in 2016 Ryder Cup
• The Englishman has been ruled out of action for four months
• Rory McIlroy: “It would be weird not to have him there”

Injured Ian Poulter will be at this year’s Ryder Cup if the players get their way.

The 40-year-old Englishman was all but ruled out of the biennial match on Friday after news filtered through that he was set to miss four months with a foot injury.

In a statement, Ian Poulter said: “I am obviously disappointed to be in this situation, especially during a Ryder Cup year. 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.”

The news sent shockwaves among European golfers playing in this week’s PGA Tour and European Tour events, with all of them keen to see Ian Poulter – a stalwart of five Ryder Cups and a record of 12-4-2 – involved in some shape or form.

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“I do ,” said Rory McIlroy. “I think it would be weird not to have him there. If he can’t be there as one of the 12 playing, hopefully, he’s there as a vice-captain. He’s always good fun and good to be around in the team room and the locker room. I’d love to see him there as a vice captain.”

Henrik Stenson, who finished tied fourth at the Nordea Masters, added:

.@henrikstenson believes Poulter will be a vice-captain: “I wish him a speedy recovery + I’m sure he’ll be at Hazeltine in some capacity.”

— Phil Casey (@pcaseysafc) June 5, 2016

While Luke Donald, who missed out on playing at Gleneagles two years ago, told Golfweek: “I think he would have stepped up his game probably to even be picked, even with his record. You never doubt Poults, because he has such a strong mind. He probably would have played well the next three months and got himself on that team.

“It will be a bit of a loss for the Europeans. He brings a lot of energy and a lot he’ll get it done, no matter what. People feed off that.”

UPDATE: Ian Poulter was announced as Ryder Cup vice-captain on Monday morning. Read the full story here.

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Ian Poulter :: Will he be a loss?

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