Steve Bruce has hit back at Stoke City after a gory picture emerged of a bloody gash in Stephen Ireland's leg following a challenge by Maynor Figueroa.

Mark Hughes claimed the tackle could have ended his player’s career and that Figueroa should have been sent off since the injury needed 12 to 15 stitches.

Bruce, speaking before Hull’s home match against Sunderland, disputed that claim and insisted it was Ireland who should have been given his marching orders for an earlier challenge.

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.

“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.

“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.”

Bruce also gave further information on the injury sustained by Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady on Friday which will rule him out of the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Bruce said: “Unfortunately Brady has fallen down a hole in the training ground and it looks an awful injury, I have to say.

“We won’t know the extent of it until he has had scans. After seeing him on Friday I doubt he will be available for weeks. It could be the rest of the season.”