Hammer blow for North as Brunt is ruled out of Euros

÷ WEST BROM midfielder Chris Brunt will be out for six months with a serious knee injury — ruling him out of Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 campaign. The 31-year-old was carried off on Saturday after landing awkwardly in the first half of Albion’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace. Scans showed he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and he underwent surgery to repair the damage yesterday, meaning he will miss the rest of the Barclays Premier League season as well as the summer’s European Championships. Gareth Bale is set to miss Wales’s friendlies against Northern Ireland and Holland at the end of the month as he recovers from a calf injury.

MANUEL Pellegrini looks set to take over at Zenit Saint Petersburg when he walks away from Manchester City at the end of the season. The 62-year-old coach had wanted to stay in England and was keen on the Chelsea job but Roman Abramovich’s decision to move for Antonio Conte has closed that door to him. If he signs with Zenit he will replace Andre VillasBoas at the Russian champions. ÷ MANCHESTER UNITED’S Europa League clash against Liverpool has been put back two hours after fury over their early kickoff. United made the request for the match to be switched from 6pm on March 17 and Trafford Council penned a letter requesting the same on safety grounds.

SUNDERLAND have made a short term contract offer to Emmanuel Eboue. The former Arsenal defender has impressed during a training spell and is expected to sign a deal until the end of the season tomorrow. The 32year-old was a free agent following his release by Galatasaray last summer.