Former Cork City midfielder David Meyler could be sidelined until Christmas, according to his Sunderland manager Steve Bruce.

Meyler was only named by Giovanni Trapattoni as one of eight uncapped players in the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming training camp in Dublin.

However, disaster struck for the 20-year-old on Sunday in the Black Cats' match against Manchester United when he sustained a knee injury which has been confirmed as a torn anterior cruciate ligament and the ligament on the outside of the joint.

Bruce explained that Meyler will be operated upon this Friday and expects his young star to be out of action for several months.

"It looks like a really serious injury for the kid. He's in Bradford as we speak and will be operated on Friday," Bruce told the club's official website.

"We wish him a speedy recovery. It's a nasty end to the season."