Sunderland defender Paul McShane has broken down during last night's friendly victory over Darlington.

The Republic of Ireland international will have a scan on Friday, but cartilage damage is suspected, and that could be bad news for his country as well as his club with Giovanni Trapattoni's men facing a crucial World Cup qualifier in Cyprus in September.

Bruce said: "He will have a scan tomorrow. We have taken him home and he will have some sort of scan tomorrow. We will not know the extent until we get the result of that.

"It could be cartilage damage, it's as serious as that. That's what our fear is."