A FOOTBALLER needed plastic surgery after a horrific clash with an opposition player left him missing a piece of his left ear.

Bury midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy, collided with Chester City's Michael Branch in the Bank Holiday Monday clash with Chester City.

Both players lay flat out on the pitch for several minutes after the incident, but returned to action after treatment. It was not until he returned to the dressing room that Barry-Murphy discovered the full extent of the injury, and asked a player to search for the missing piece of ear. Soon, a dozen players and staff from each team were scouring the pitch.

Sadly for the 26-year-old Irish star the missing piece was never found. Bury FC press officer Gordon Sorfleet said: "We think Michael Branch's tooth might have caught Brian in the ear. He will see a plastic surgeon, but wants to play again at the weekend."