Jordan McEneff picked up an injury on his first start for Shelbourne FC on Monday, following his recent long-term injury struggles with Arsenal.

Following two substitute appearances for Shelbourne FC earlier last month, Arsenal loanee Jordan McEneff made his full debut for the side on Monday night against University College Dublin.

The 21-year-old midfielder’s start didn’t last any longer than his substitute appearances did, as he was substituted off with an injury in the 22nd minute.

McEneff had only recently returned to fitness with the Arsenal u23s, before his loan to Shelbourne. The youngster only made one appearance between October 2020 and his departure on loan.

With his Arsenal contract expiring at the end of the season, McEneff’s target would have been to get a consistent run of games and show what he can do.

But he’ll now have to overcome his latest setback before he can make that happen.

Arsenal have previously gone out of their way to try and aid McEneff’s long-term future.

They extended the player’s contract while he was injured last year, in a move that was highly praised by his agency.

“With his contract due to expire this summer, Per and Arsenal have moved to extend Jordan’s deal to give him time to get physically right,” Integrity Sports Ltd wrote on social media in 2021.

“Such duty of care and general kindness is rarely seen in the business of elite sport.

“Whether Jordan goes onto become a first-team player at the Emirates in the short term or not, Arsenal have shown incredible class to look after the best interests of a young player that has huge potential.

“Big thank you to Per Mertesacker and Arsenal for taking care of one of Ireland’s biggest young talents so, so well since the moment [he] joined the club.”

There’s no word on the severity of the latest injury yet, so we can hope it’s nothing serious and McEneff will be back out there very soon.