Ireland international Greg Cunningham undergoes knee surgery

Republic of Ireland international defender will miss several missed after undergoing surgery on a knee injury suffered in action for his club, Preston North End, last week.

The 26-year-old, who was named stand-in captain at the beginning of the season in the absence of Tom Clarke, sustained the injury in the league defeat to Derby County last Tuesday.

Galway native Cunningham had just been recalled to the international squad following an absence of four years for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Georgia and Serbia.

The club confirmed on their website that the former Manchester City full-back had been operated on and would be absent for 'an extended period' of recovery.

“It is a real blow for the player, who deservedly had just returned to the Irish squad after an excellent start to the season,” said Preston manager Alex Neil.

“As I described him after the game on Tuesday night, Greg is a ‘warrior’ – as illustrated by the fact he wanted to carry on despite having done the damage that now requires an operation - and I have no doubt he will be back fitter and stronger before very long and our medical team will work closely with him to get him back with us.

“Whilst we are disappointed to lose Greg, this gives other players in the squad an opportunity to show what they are capable of and we look forward to seeing them compete for a starting shirt in his absence.”

Cunningham made his international debut under Giovanni Trapattoni in a 2010 friendly against Algeria and has won four caps to date.