Stephen Ireland was taken to hospital in an ambulance after suffering a leg injury during a veterans cup final
Stephen Ireland
Stephen Ireland is recovering well after having surgery on a double leg break.(Image: James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)
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Former Manchester City star Stephen Ireland has suffered a double leg break that required surgery, as his wife, Jessica, posted an update on his condition. The 39-year-old was playing for Wythenshawe over-35s in the Cheshire Veterans Premier Division Cup final against South Liverpool when he was on the receiving end of a sickening tackle.
The incident occurred in the first-half when he came out worse in a 50/50 challenge, Wythenshawe were leading 3-0 at the time of the injury thanks to a hat-trick from former Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse. Ireland is said to have waited around 30 minutes for an ambulance, which entered the field of play at Warrington Rylands' Gorsey Lane, before going to a nearby hospital.
Ireland's wife has revealed that he suffered a broken tibia and fibula which required surgery. The former professional footballer, who also counts Aston Villa and Stoke City among his former clubs, is understood to be recovering well.
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In an Instagram post, Ireland's wife shared a picture holding the former Republic of Ireland international's hand in a hospital bed while wearing his Wythenshawe shirt.
She wrote: "I wouldn't usually do such a personal post on here but I just felt I needed to update everyone who has been messaging and asking how Stephen is doing.
"I feel bad that haven't managed to reply to everyone yet and I didn't want anyone to think I was ignoring their kind concern.
"I have just been in hospital with Stephen since the incident happened Sunday morning and understandably just focused on getting him better.
A post on Instagram from Stephen Ireland's wife.
A post on Instagram from Stephen Ireland's wife.(Image: jessica_ireland/Instagram)
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"Stephen incurred a "both-bone" break to his leg, his tibia and fibula were badly broken and therefore he needed surgery.
"He came out of surgery last night and thankfully all went well, he is now on the road to recovery.
"We Just wanted to thank everyone for the overwhelming concern and support and all the lovely messages!
"To everyone who was there when it happened and knows how traumatic it was, THANKYOU for the immediate action that was taken and for the incredible support that day He's got a tough road ahead but anyone that knows Stephen will know he'll be fighting fit as soon as physically possible."
Ireland has been credited for being one of the masterminds behind the viral Wythenshawe Vets side. The 39-year-old joined forces with former teammates and opponents to form a Sunday league super-team with the likes of Cisse, Joleon Lescott, Emile Heskey, Oumar Niasse, Maynor Figueroa, Antonio Valencia and Danny Drinkwater among the stars to play for the Greater Manchester club.
Wythenshawe's over-35s have blown their opponents out of the water, steamrolling to the summit of the Cheshire Veterans League where they are unbeaten in their opening 10 matches with a goal difference of 77, sitting six points clear of nearest challengers Parklands (Widnes).
This season has the potential to be a trophy-laden campaign having already won the Manchester FA Veterans cup beating East Manchester 9-2 in the final last month.
Last week, Ireland was announced as one of the star players to be on the plane, representing Wythenshawe, at the winner-takes-all $1million TST competition held in North Carolina set to get underway at the end of May.