Ian Poulter in race against time to play in Ryder Cup after being ruled out for four months with foot injury

Poulter has been suffering from an arthritic joint in his right foot that will rule him out for four months

Ian Poulter faces four months out with a foot injury (Getty)

Ian Poulter is a major doubt for the Ryder Cup as he faces four months out of action due to a foot injury, with the four-time winner facing a race to be fit to compete at Hazeltine from the end of September.

The diagnosis has been an arthritic joint in his right foot that has caused him pain for a while, leaving him struggling to walk and practice.

Poulter is certain to miss out on qualifying for Darren Clarke’s European team, with the Englishman currently placed 85th in the world rankings and facing the prospect of playing no golf until the Ryder Cup comes about at the end of October.

Poulter is credited with leading Europe's fightback in the 'Miracle at Medinah' (Getty)

Poulter is set to miss the US Open later this month, as well as the two other majors left this year in the form of The Open at Royal Troon and the US PGA Championship at Baaltusrol.

Current European Ryder Cup qualifiers

1. Danny Willett

2. Rory McIlroy

3. Chris Wood

4. Matthew Fitzpatrick

5. Henrik Stenson

6. Justin Rose

7. Sergio Garcia

8. Rafa Cabrera-Bello

9. Andy Sullivan

In contention:

Victor Dubuisson

Soren Kjeldson

Lee Westwood

Thorbjorn Olesen

However, it will be the possibility of missing the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2006 that will have the 40-year-old most concerned, given that he has earned a remarkable reputation as one of Europe’s go-to men when they take on the United States.

Poulter has represented Europe in 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014, winning all but the 2008 event and inspiring Jose Maria Olazabal’s side to the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012, the last time the competition was held in the United States.

Having played 18 rounds during his Ryder Cup career, Poulter holds an impressive 12 victories and four halves, having lost just two match-ups in across five events.

The 2016 Ryder Cup takes place at Hazeltine and begins on Friday 30 September, culminating with the singles on Sunday 2 October. Currently, Poulter would need a captain’s pick to make Clarke’s team, though his absence by choice would raise eyebrows given his ability to raise his game when it comes to the Ryder Cup.