Hull boss Steve Bruce DEFENDS Maynor Figueroa's horror tackle on Stephen Ireland

STEVE BRUCE has defended full-back Maynor Figueroa after he was accused by Stoke of a reckless challenge on Stephen Ireland.

Steve Bruce has defended Maynor Figueroa's tackle on Stephen IrelandPA

Steve Bruce has defended Maynor Figueroa's tackle on Stephen Ireland

Honduras left-back Figueroa caught Ireland’s lower leg during Stoke’s 1-0 on Saturday.

Ireland has been ruled out for several weeks Potters boss Mark Hughes said the challenge could have ended the midfielder’s career.

But Bruce said that Ireland had been guilty of a worse challenge earlier in the match.

The Hull manager said: "Let me tell you, Stephen Ireland committed the worst challenge on the pitch on David Meyler. 

"He shouldn't have been on the pitch if the referee had done his job. It was an awful challenge.

Hughes: Tackle on Ireland shocking [AMBIENT]

"Everybody is wearing the boots called blades and the challenge on Ireland he's kicked the ball and followed through and unfortunately has caught his leg.

"At the time nobody went to the referee, he didn't award a free-kick – it wasn't a free-kick but one of those horrible ones where he's followed through and caught the boy on the calf rather than planted the boot on him."

Let me tell you, Stephen Ireland committed the worst challenge on the pitch on David Meyler

Steve Bruce

Stoke said Ireland needed about 12 stitches after the incident and a picture of the injury has since been posted online.

Bruce, whose side face Sunderland in the Premier League on Tuesday, said Figueroa was also hurt.

He said: "I could show you a picture of Figueroa's ankle, he had five stitches in it and carried on.

"Nobody wants to see a cut or an injury as bad as Stephen Ireland had but unfortunately in football it happens."

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?