Stephen Ireland, the former Manchester City and Republic of Ireland midfielder, has provided a gruesome update on his recovery after suffering a horrific double leg break while playing Sunday League football. The 37-year-old underwent surgery to repair fractures to both his tibia and fibula, and has now shared images of the resulting scars on social media.
Social Media Update
On Saturday, Ireland posted a series of updates to his Instagram account. One clip showed him walking into a medical facility on crutches with the caption: "Nice early morning wake up to get clips/sutures out." In a separate story, he shared a black-and-white photograph of his leg out of a cast, revealing visible scars and stitches from the operation.
The Injury
The incident occurred earlier this month during the Cheshire Veterans Premier Division Cup final. Ireland was playing for Wythenshawe Vets, the over-35s side, against South Liverpool. The match was abandoned after Ireland sustained the double break. The Wythenshawe Vets team had gained notoriety earlier in the season for featuring a squad of former Premier League stars and dominating their opponents. In the cup final, Newcastle United cult hero Papiss Cisse had already scored a hat-trick before the game was halted due to Ireland's injury.
Recovery and Reaction
Ireland's latest posts indicate he is at the beginning of his rehabilitation journey. The former Premier League star, known for his time at Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Stoke City, has received an outpouring of support from fans and former teammates. The injury has shocked the football community, highlighting the risks even in amateur football.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
