GRAPHIC: Irish defender faces lengthy spell out after injury that left part of his skull exposed

Carl McHugh will not play again this year after a particularly nasty head injury, sustained in August.

McHugh had an interesting beginning to life as a Motherwell player. The midfielder from Donegal, and former Republic of Ireland U21 international, made his debut for the Scottish side, against Kilmarnock, and was left with a nasty cut. The former Plymouth defender started and played 57 minutes of the 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, before taking a knock to the head and being forced off. McHugh tweeted this extremely graphic image of his injury, but seemed in good spirits despite the nasty cut above his right eye. Be warned, it is pretty GRAPHIC. Okay, here goes: Motherwell boss Mark McGhee told reporters, on Wednesday, that he did not expect McHugh back until early 2017. "I don't think he will be back before Christmas or New Year. The earliest would be New Year but again it is guesswork," he said.

"You could be asking me the same question in six months time. There is no defined prognosis or timescale. "I think you have to wait for three weeks clear of any symptoms before he can train again. And he is far from that at the moment."

The Irishman is still suffering from concussion-like symptoms and is due to see a specialist in Dublin in the coming days. *Update from piece first posted on August 6, 2016