Walters suffers injury setback

JON WALTERS’ short-term future is up in the air again after the Ireland striker posted a picture of himself in a hospital bed last night.

Walters had been linked with a loan move from Burnley to Sunderland in this transfer window with Sean Dyche refusing to rule the prospect out earlier this week.

He has been unable to build any momentum at Burnley since his £3m summer switch from Stoke with the 34-year-old suffering a knee problem that ruled him out of the business end of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

He recently returned from that lay-off but has been unable to force his way into Dyche’s plans and he has come onto the radar of Sunderland boss Chris Coleman who is trying to steer his side away from the Championship relegation zone.

However, Walters posted a picture on Twitter last night which indicated that he had suffered another fitness issue with the striker appearing to be dressed for surgery. “Devastated, but it is what it is,” he wrote. Walters has yet to clarify his Ireland intentions with question marks over whether the veteran will stay on for another campaign.

Dyche’s Irish contingent has been depleted in recent weeks with Robbie Brady on the long-term injury list with a serious knee problem and Stephen Ward out since December with another knee issue. Kevin Long is out of the side with Jeff Hendrick the only Irish regular recently.

Meanwhile, St Patrick’s Athletic have announced the capture of experienced centre-half Michael Leahy who spent the past two seasons with Sligo Rovers. “Mick is a really good pro,” said Liam Buckley.