<text>  A photo has revealed the full extent of Stephen Irelands injury, which left the midfielder needing 12-13 stitches after Maynor Figueroas horror challenge left a three inch gash in his calf. The Stoke City player was taken off at half time and the prognosis of the nasty injury is likely to keep him out of action for a minimum of three weeks. Figueroa is unlikely to receive a ban with any potential retrospective action hinging on referee Neil Swarbrick and his officials prognosis of who saw the challenge. It is understood at least one of them did witness the incident. The gash in Stephen Irelands leg following Maynor Figueroas challenge left him needing ten stitches . The Stoke City left midfielder lies injured after the after horror tackle from the Honduras international . The incident left his manager Mark Hughes furious after the game who insisted the Honduras international could have ended Irelands career. He said: Stephen Ireland has been on the end of a horrendous tackle, one that shouldve seen a straight red. The tackle couldve finished his career. Why the referee hasnt given a straight red Ive no idea. Figueroa cleared the ball and followed through to rake his studs down Irelands leg . He is likely to escape any action from the FA because the officials have confirmed they saw the incident . Ireland is now expected to miss the next three weeks of the season following his nasty injury . Irelands come in at half-time and rolled his sock down, theres a wound needing 12-13 stitches. Ive watched the video back, its shocking. Were frustrated. They need to do better. The Britannia Stadium is no stranger to horror injuries, when Aaron Ramseys leg was broken following a Ryan Shawcross tackle in 2010. Despite the shocking injury to Ireland, the Potters scored a late winner through Peter Crouch to help soften the news of his expected absence. 