Former Premier League midfielder Stephen Ireland has revealed the grisly post-operative scarring following his recent double leg break. The ex-Republic of Ireland international took to social media with the latest update after requiring surgery having broken both his tibia and fibula during a veterans cup final.
In a series of Instagram posts on Saturday, Ireland was pictured walking into the medical facility on crutches, captioned: "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, with visible scarring and stitches on display. The injury was sustained earlier this month during Ireland's appearance for Wythenshawe Veterans in the Cheshire Veterans Premier Division Cup final against South Liverpool.
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The veterans' side had gone viral earlier this season after assembling a squad packed with Premier League legends and bulldozing their opponents.
During the cup final, Newcastle United cult hero Papiss Cisse had struck a hat-trick before the match was abandoned following Ireland's injury.
This latest update comes after Ireland's first social media post since the incident. The former Aston Villa and Stoke City midfielder shared footage of the leg-breaking moment, which captures opposition players burying their heads in their hands in the aftermath of the challenge.
The post goes on to show images of Ireland stricken on the pitch receiving medical attention from paramedics, before depicting him lying in a hospital bed and subsequently departing on crutches.
There was uncertainty surrounding the initial incident, which took place at Warrington Rylands' Gorsey Lane, before his wife disclosed the full extent of the injuries.
In a post to Instagram, Ireland's wife, Jessica, shared a poignant photograph holding his hand as he lay 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.
"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, THANK YOU 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."
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