Jaw break KO's Lillywhites' Ryan

Veteran Kildare defender Glenn Ryan is facing a two month lay-off from inter county football after undergoing surgery on his broken jaw.

The 33-year-old defender sustained the blow while playing for Round Towers in the opening round of the Kildare championship last weekend and was operated on at St James's Hospital earlier this week.

The wiring in the two-time All-star's jaw will be in place for six weeks.

Unless Padraig Nolan's Kildare side can make it through to the All-Ireland quarter finals in August, Ryan will miss this year's championship.

Along with Ryan, manager Nolan could be without a number of key players for their second round qualifier clash with Sligo at Markievicz Park on Saturday (throw-in 7pm).

Stuart McKenzie-Smith (dislocated elbow), Derek McCormack (shoulder), Padraig Mullarkey (dislocated shoulder) and Eamonn Callaghan (ankle) are all injury worries while Moorefield defender James Lonergan is suspended.