Sunderland midfielder David Meyler will miss out on the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming friendly games against Algeria and Paraguay after rupturing knee ligaments in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Manchester United.
The 20-year-old was stretchered off during the first half of the club’s final home game and manager Steve Bruce later said initial checks suggested he had suffered a cruciate ligament injury.
Scans have now confirmed a rupture and Meyler is to consult a specialist later this week to assess the extent of the injury and what treatment is required.
Bruce told the club’s official website, www.safc.com: “An initial scan has confirmed our medical team’s first thoughts that David has ruptured ligaments in his right knee.
“He will see a knee specialist this week when further plans will be confirmed.”
The former Cork City player's misfortune struck just a week after he signed a new five-year contract following his emergence from the ranks into the first team.
It also came shortly after Giovanni Trapattoni called him up for a training camp later this month, when he was to get the chance to play his way into the squads for the games against Algeria and Paraguay at the RDS.
He now face months on the sidelines and seems certain to miss the start of the new season and the early stages of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.