Chris Brunt's Euro 2016 dream left '˜shattered' by cruciate injury

Brunt was stretchered off during West Brom’s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace last Saturday.

Results from scans are expected to reveal that the 31-year-old suffered cruciate ligament damage – ruling him out for the rest of the season and this summer’s European Championship finals in France.

It is a devastating blow for Brunt who was a prominent feature in Michael O’Neill’s side during a mesmerising qualifying campaign.

Brunt has earned 54 caps for his country, and was looking forward to adding to that tally in France.

West Brom team-mate Jonas Olsson said: “It is a shattered dream for him not to be able to represent his country in the Euros.

“You feel for him as a team-mate and as a friend. I have been playing with him for eight years. It is the first summer really when he was looking forward to something else other than a vacation. I just hope he gets back fit and maybe he is there for the next championship [the 2018 World Cup in Russia]. Hopefully there is more to come from him.”