Soccer: Republic of Ireland defender Marc Wilson will miss the international friendly against Greece next month after he broke his fibula in Stoke City's 0-0 draw with Sunderland at the Brittania stadium yesterday.

Wilson damaged his left leg as he went in with Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher to win the ball just a few minutes into the second half and had to be carried off on a stretcher.

Pulis said in his post-match press conference that Wilson had been taken straight to hospital and writing on his Twitter account, the player later said:

“Have broke my fibula. Hopefully I can make a speedy recovery. Thanks every1 for the support. Really appreciate it.”

Stoke this morning confirmed the news on their official website, with Pulis, who had suggested the injury came as a consequence of Wilson getting his studs caught in the ground rather than any contact from Fletcher, saying: “Marc will be out for a while, but we are not sure at this stage for how long.”

However, the nature of the injury will certainly rule the defender out of the next Ireland friendly against the Greeks at the Aviva Stadium on November 14th.

Left-back Wilson only made his competitive debut for Ireland in the win over the Faroe Islands a fortnight ago, scoring the opener in the 4-1 victory in Torshavn.

Ireland will play a friendly against Poland on February 6th before resuming their qualification campaign in late March with a double-header away to Sweden and at home to Austria.