Derrick Williams' time with the Republic of Ireland has been cut short after suffering a calf injury on his goalscoring appearance for his country.

Williams was replaced early in the second half in the friendly win over New Zealand in Dublin, with national team boss Mick McCarthy describing the injury as ‘a little calf strain’.

The defender has since undergone a scan, but has now been ruled out of Monday's Euro 2020 qualifier with Denmark and will return to Rovers who will further assess the injury.

The news will be a concern to boss Tony Mowbray, with Williams having started 15 consecutive Championship games since missing the whole of pre-season with the same injury.

Rovers will be keen to avoid any more disruption at left back, with Greg Cunningham ruled out of the season, Amari’i Bell short of fitness, while Sam Hart is also nursing a knee problem.

Williams marked his third appearances in Irish colours with his first goal, coming up with an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

The 26-year-old had hoped to prove his fitness and to pushed his claims for involvement in Ireland’s crunch Euro 2020 qualifier with Denmark in Dublin on Monday, but the FAI have since confirmed that he been withdrawn from the spot.

McCarthy said: "Derrick felt his calf in the second half of the game and our medical team have assessed him today.

"He will go back to his club now and we wish him well. He was one of our best players on Thursday night and deserved his goal."

Williams had been bullish about his chances of making Monday’s game when speaking to the press post-match, stating: “Bit disappointed I had to come off. Hopefully my injury is okay and I’ve put a few thoughts in the gaffer’s head,” Williams said.

“I was happy enough. I felt I was getting forward well and linking well.

“A bit disappointed about their goal, I gave the ball away, but other than that, I was pretty pleased.”

Williams made his international debut in a friendly against France in May 2018 but had to wait until the closing stages of last month’s Euro 2020 qualifier with Georgia to make his competitive bow.

He followed that up with a third cap in the 3-1 win over New Zealand, operating at left back before his substitution 11 minutes in to the second half.

Williams took advantage of injuries to Rovers team-mates Darragh Lenihan and Greg Cunningham to be drafted in to the October squad and kept his place for this month’s double-header with New Zealand and Denmark.

“Derrick Williams was excellent. I was delighted he got his goal. I’ve been really impressed with him. I took him off because of a little calf strain,” boss McCarthy added.

Williams had scored just twice in Rovers colours before this season, but has been among the goals in 2019.

He netted his third of the campaign in Rovers’ defeat to Leeds United last weekend, and opened his international account with a perfectly placed header after Ireland had fallen behind in the first half.

“It was my first time playing here and to top it off with a goal is brilliant. It means the world,” Williams told RTÉ Sport.

“I actually said to Robbie (Brady) before the game ‘what area do you hit?’ and he said ‘just outside the six (yard box)’ so I made sure I got in there.

“I have quite a good spring so I just wanted to time it right and lucky enough it went in. As the game went on we were the better side and we deserved the win.”