Gareth Bale could be set for a longer spell on the sidelines than initially feared, putting his participation in Ireland’s game against Wales in doubt.
Ireland’s next World Cup qualifier is at home to Wales on 24 March and the Real Madrid star, who suffered the injury in their Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon, now faces a real race against time to be fit for action.
Before the operation the 27-year-old wrote on Twitter: "Thanks for all the messages! Ankle is feeling ok. I'll be doing everything I can to get back on the pitch ASAP #Halamadrid."
The recovery time for the injury was originally estimated at three months.
However, a report by Spanish football expert Guillem Balague on the AS website claims that during the surgery the extent of the injury was found to be more severe than originally diagnosed.
Balague wrote that the ex-Spurs player is “now expected to return in April.”
Martin O’Neill’s team sit top of Group D on 10 points after four games.
