Chris Brunt has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s plans for the European Championships after scans confirmed that the midfielder has ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament.
The West Bromwich Albion captain will miss the remainder of the season with his club after undergoing surgery in France yesterday on his right knee.
He will be out of action for around six months and the timing of the injury, sustained during West Brom’s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace last weekend at The Hawthorns, means that the 31-year-old will also be sidelined for Euro 2016; a tournament that looked set to be the pinnacle of his career.
The news extends a miserable two weeks for Brunt, who was struck by a coin thrown from the West Brom fans after their 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Reading.
The injury is a major blow for Michael O’Neill, the Northern Ireland manager, with Brunt one of his most experienced players in both international and Barclays Premier League football.
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Tony Pulis, the West Brom head coach, said: “It’s a big blow for Chris and everyone is feeling for him right now.
“It will be disappointing for us not to have him for the rest of the season because he is a terrific player who gives the team great balance. But obviously it is made even more cruel because it has denied him a career highlight with Northern Ireland this summer.”
Mark Gillett, the club’s director of performance and lead doctor, said: “We are hopeful that Chris will be nearing the completion of his rehabilitation towards the start of next season.”