James McClean is in a race against time to feature in Ireland’s playoff showdown with Slovakia.
The Ireland winger injured his medial knee ligament in Stoke’s 2-0 defeat to Preston North End last night.
“Stoke City can confirm that James McClean is facing several weeks on the sidelines,” a club statement read tonight.
The Derry native also shared a picture of his leg in a cast on social media this evening.
Team-mate Thibaud Verlinden sustained a season-ending cruciate injury in the same game.
Ireland face Slovakia in Bratislava on March 26 meaning McClean has just six weeks to prove his fitness.
The severity of the injury will be known over the weekend with Stoke boss Michael O’Neill set to provide an update after tomorrow’s game at QPR.
