Sunderland midfielder David Meyler is highly unlikely to join up with the Republic of Ireland summer training camp after sustaining cruciate ligament damage in the Black Cats 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
Meyler, who has represented the national team at Under21 level, was called up to Giovanni Trapattoni’s summer camp and was due to play against Paraguay and Algeria in June before he was struck down with this injury.
The 20-year-old was stretchered off and needed an oxygen mask after 37 minutes in the Premier League match with Man United at the Stadium of Light following a collision with Patrice Evra.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce told the club’s official website of his horror watching Meyler leave the field and hopes that scans will reveal the extent of the Irishman’s injury.
“It was horrific. We’ll monitor it over the next 24 to 48 hours but it doesn’t look great.†Bruce said.
“The kid’s had such an impact but it looks a nasty one. We hope it’s not too bad but we fear the worst at the moment.
“He over-extended going for the ball and opened up his knee joint. We just hope we have a bit of luck with the scans.”
