Sunderland have confirmed Rory Delap has broken his nose.
Sunderland have confirmed Rory Delap has broken his nose.The Irish international suffered the injury earlier this month against Fulham, but it was only over the weekend that it emerged that he could need surgery.
If Delap has surgery then he is likely to miss the rest of the Premiership season.
"We have to do what is right for Rory," caretaker boss Kevin Ball told the club's website.
"It was quite bizarre how all week he was all right to play on Friday and then he broke down.
"Maybe the adrenaline started it off and since then we haven't been able to sort it out. We have to make sure it's right and make sure he's okay.
"His season could be finished. I wouldn't want to put Rory in any position where he felt he had to play.
"I would only ever consider putting him in if his fitness was right. If he has an operation and it's 10 days to recover, you are talking two and a half weeks since he trained properly.
"It's a lot to ask, even though he's a fit lad."
