Stoke's Ireland suffers broken leg in training

Cape Town - Stoke City midfielder Stephen Ireland suffered a broken leg during a training session on Tuesday morning and faces an "extended spell on the sidelines".

A statement on the club's website said: "The club wishes Stephen a speedy recovery and will offer him all the support he requires as he undergoes his rehabilitation."

The 29-year-old midfielder signed from Aston Villa in 2014 and has appeared 16 times for the Potters this season, having struggled with hamstring problems for much of the campaign. All of Ireland's league appearances this season have come off the bench.

The former Manchester City trainee enters the final year of his current deal soon, but it remains to be seen how much of that he'll be fit for.