Delap receives support all round…

Both Sunderland and Stoke City have pledged their full help and support for Rory Delap.

The Republic of Ireland international broke his tibula and fibula bones in a sickening collision with Sunderland left-back Robbie Elliot.

It was only Delap’s second outing for Stoke, having featured in their impressive 4-0 away at Leeds last weekend.

However he only lasted 11 minutes into the midweek encounter when he was stretchered off with the horrific injury.

However both clubs, his current and future employers, have insisted they will do all they can in order that Delap makes a quick and speedy recovery.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane said:

‘We have an agreement with Stoke that it is a loan with a permanent deal, so Rory is a Stoke player and he will do his recovery there.

‘I spoke to Rory last night. He has had the operation and the surgeons are quite happy with the way it has gone.

‘It is just a case of working on his recovery and I wish him well.

‘Rory was not really supposed to play in the game, but we gave him permission to play. Sometimes it is just fate, unfortunately.

‘But Rory is a strong lad and when I spoke to him, he seemed to be last night in good spirits.

‘Everyone from Sunderland, the players, the staff and the supporters, wish him well.’

While Stoke have revealed that despoite the injury, they fully intend to make the transfer a permanent one in January, Stoke’s chief executive Tony Scholes confirmed:

‘We signed Rory on an emergency loan, but with a very clear intent and gentleman’s agreement to make the deal permanent in January.

‘Rory got injured wearing our shirt and representing this club. We owe it to him and his family to stand by him at what is a very difficult time.

‘We feel we are morally obliged and owe it to the player and his family to complete the deal, so that is what we are doing.’

Meanwhile Stoke’s chief physio Dave Watson revealed that Delap’s operation went well:

‘The operation went as well as can be expected for what was a bad break. Rory is well and there will be a meeting with the doctor and orthopaedic surgeon today to discuss where we go from here.’