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.”

Meyler suffered the injury during Sunday’s 1-0 Barclays Premier League defeat by Manchester United.

He was carried from the pitch at the Stadium of Light on a stretcher and Bruce admitted things did not look promising.

The club confirmed yesterday morning initial scans had revealed ligament damage and that the player would consult a specialist this week. However, they are wasting little time and yesterday afternoon confirmed a date for surgery has now been set.

The former Cork City player’s form has caught the attention of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni, who called him up for an end-of-season training camp later this month.

Assistant, Marco Tardelli said that Meyler’s injury was a huge set-back for the player and was also a major loss to the Republic of Ireland.

“It is so disappointing for him. But it is disappointing for us too.

“He will have his chance the next time when he is fit again, but he faces a tough time,” said Tardelli, who was speaking in Galway at the launch of the Umbro Cup yesterday.