A SUNDERLAND footballer has undergone an operation on his eye after a team-mate accidentally shot him in the face.

Reserve team defender Mark Maley, 21, was injured during horseplay with an air pistol at Welsh International John Oster's home in Durham City.

A club spokeswoman said: "It was an unfortunate accident as neither player believed that the air pistol was loaded.

"John Oster deeply regrets the incident but this highlights the danger of air guns.

"Mark Maley has had an operation on his eye and is scheduled to see a specialist again in the next few days. It is too early to know whether he will need further treatment or what the final outcome will be."

Newcastle-born Maley is a former England schoolboys captain.

Oster, signed from Everton for £1m in 1999, has played a few first team games but has been out since injuring a ligament in February.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "The incident doesn't appear to have been reported to us, which isn't surprising if both parties and their employer have dealt with it internally."