Bulgaria's football team captain Dimitar Berbatov will certainly sit out international duty against Ireland and Cyprus after suffering an ankle knock. The injury came during Manchester United clash with Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

"Dimitar's got a good crack on his ankle. There's some swelling there. We'll have a look in the morning. Bulgaria will have to miss Dimitar Berbatov," Manchester United Assistant Manager Mike Phelan told the BBC.

The doctor of the national football team ruled out any chance for Berbatov to join the match against Ireland.

“In no way can this happen. The injury will stop him from playing football for at least two weeks. Most probably this is about his old ankle problems, which have aggravated despite the measures that have been taken,” Mihail Ilev told the Bulgarian National TV channel.

The Bulgarians' new manager, Stanimir Stoilov, is facing an uphill battle since he can not bank on the experience of one more of his best footballers in the crucial forthcoming World Cup qualifier - Manchester City winger Martin Petrov, who is still recovering from a surgery.

Stoilov is yet to announce Berbatov's replacement.

Bulgaria ranks third in Group Eight with three points from three matches. It will be desperate to avoid defeat in Dublin to keep alive hopes of reaching the finals in South Africa.

Bulgaria is up against the Republic on 28 March and Cyprus four days later.