Stephen Ireland has surgery after double leg fracture in veterans match

Former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland underwent successful surgery after suffering a double fracture of his tibia and fibula in a veterans' football match on Sunday.

The 39-year-old sustained the injury during the first half of the Cheshire Veterans Premier Division Cup final between his team, Wythenshawe over-35s, and South Liverpool at Warrington Rylands' Gorsey Lane ground. Ireland came off worse in a 50-50 challenge, according to witnesses. Wythenshawe led 3-0 at the time, with all three goals coming from a hat trick by former Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse.

Ireland waited approximately 30 minutes for an ambulance to reach the pitch before being transported to a nearby hospital. His wife, Jessica, confirmed the extent of the injury and provided an update on his condition via Instagram, posting a photo of her holding his hand as he rested in a hospital bed, still wearing his Wythenshawe shirt.

"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," she wrote. "Stephen incurred a 'both-bone' break to his leg, his tibia and fibula were badly broken and therefore he...