Aston Villa rule out Stephen Ireland for two weeks
Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland was today ruled for the next fortnight after the extent of the injury he sustained to his arm became clearer.
The 26-year-old Irishman has a broken wrist and will definitely miss Villa's derby match with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday after it was put in a cast.
Villa boss Paul Lambert would not put an exact timescale on when Ireland, who suffered the injury against Southampton last weekend, would return but conceded it is a blow to his preparations for the game against the Baggies.
"It's his wrist. I don't think it's as bad as we thought. Hopefully he will be back in a few weeks time," said Lambert.
"Injuries happen. It's unfortunate for Stephen and it's unfortunate for us. But he won't be out for the number of weeks we thought he would be."
