Deep laceration to knee sidelines Ireland World Cup hopeful Ruesha Littlejohn

Unless the flesh wound has escalated into bone or ligament damage, hopes would be high of her fitness for the trip to Australia.

SETBACK: Ruesha Littlejohn of Republic of Ireland before the international friendly match between China PR and Republic of Ireland at Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, Spain. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn is set a “spell on the sidelines” but it’s unclear whether her World Cup availability is in doubt.

Aston Villa confirmed the layoff on Tuesday, 48 hours after she left the fray by stretcher with what’s been described as a deep laceration of the knee.