Meyler faces year on mend

SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce fears young midfielder David Meyler could be sidelined for up to 12 months by a knee injury.

The 20-year-old Irishman will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and the ligament on the other side of his right knee.

Bruce has revealed Meyler will be out of action “until at least Christmas”, and could be missing for a year. He told the club’s official website, www.safc.com: “It looks like a really serious injury for the kid. He’s in Bradford as we speak and will be operated on Friday. We wish him a speedy recovery.”