The Stoke City player was left with a three-inch gash needing 12-13 stitches in his calf when Maynor Figueroa's boot caught his leg.
Ireland had to be taken off after the tackle. Despite the severity of the injury, Hull City player, Figueroa, was not booked and will not face a ban as officials saw the challenge.
Story continues after slideshow...
Bizarre footballers' injuries
Alex Stepney(01 of11)
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Dislocated his jaw while shouting at Manchester United team-mates during a match against Birmingham in 1975. No one at Old Trafford told Peter Schmeichel. (credit:PA)
Dave Beasant(02 of11)
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Wimbledon's 1988 hero put himself on the sidelines for eight weeks in 1993 after he dropped a bottle of salad cream on his foot, severing the tendon in his big toe. (credit:PA)
Richard Wright (03 of11)
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The former Arsenal man fell through a loft as he was trying to pack away his suitcases. Keepers, eh? (credit:PA)
Darius Vassell(04 of11)
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The pitfalls of DIY: Vassell missed several games after he drilled through his toe nail with a home power drill - deliberately. He thought it would relieve pressure on a swollen toe, yet all he got was a toe infection. (credit:PA)
Kevin Kyle(05 of11)
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Scot Kyle spent a night in hospital in 2006 after his eight-month-old son kicked a jug of boiling water over his crotch. Och! (credit:PA)
Rio Ferdinand(06 of11)
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Erstwhile England defender Ferdinand sustained a tendon strain in his knee watching television. He had his foot up on a coffee table for a number of hours and ended up injured. (credit:Getty Images)
David James(07 of11)
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Like Ferdinand, James doesn't necessarily enjoy home comforts. He pulled a muscle in his back once when he reached for the television remote control. (credit:PA)
Alan Wright(08 of11)
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The diminutive Wright strained his knee reaching for the accelerator in his new Ferrari. The Aston Villa left-back swapped it for a Rover 416. (credit:Getty Images)
David Batty(09 of11)
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Supposed hardman Batty was defeated by a toddler. The England international re-injured his achilles tendon after he was run over by one of his children on a tricycle. (credit:PA)
Leroy Lita(10 of11)
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Ex-Reading striker Lita once damaged a muscle as he carried out his morning stretches after waking up. (credit:PA)
Darren Barnard (11 of11)
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Barnsley's old free-kick maestro was sidelined for five months with a torn knee ligament after he slipped in a puddle of his dog's urine on the kitchen floor. And they didn't call it puppy love. (credit:PA)
Stoke manager, Mark Hughes, said: "Stephen Ireland has been on the end of a horrendous tackle, one that should’ve seen a straight red.
"The tackle could've finished his career. Why the referee hasn't given a straight red I've no idea."
"Ireland’s come in at half-time and rolled his sock down, there’s a wound needing 12-13 stitches. I’ve watched the video back, it’s shocking. We’re frustrated. They need to do better."