IRELAND MANAGER MARTIN O’Neill must wait on the fitness of a number of players ahead of this weekend’s Euro 2016 qualifying double-header.
World champions Germany visit Dublin to play in the penultimate Group D game on Thursday, before the Boys in Green head off to Warsaw to face Poland on Sunday evening.
Currently occupying the third place, Ireland’s most realistic chance of qualification looks to be via the play-offs, which they will do provided they match Scotland’s result against the Poles.
However, already without Glenn Whelan and James McClean through suspension as well as injured pair Stephen Quinn and Harry Arter, O’Neill has some worries across his backline for the clash with Germany.
Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark is definitely ruled out with a quad problem, while fellow centre-half Marc Wilson has remained at Stoke City for treatment on a calf injury, which will be assessed later in the week.
“Marc played a couple of games in quick succession,” said O’Neill. “He had to pull out of a training session last Thursday and he has had to have some work.
“I think he was going for a scan and Stoke thought it was the best thing for him to just stay with them for a couple of days. I’ll certainly be talking to him tomorrow to see how he is.”
First choice right full-back Seamus Coleman didn’t make the Everton squad for yesterday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield meaning he has now been absent for the Toffees’ last four matches.
The 26-year-old was present at Ireland’s training camp in Abbottstown this morning but didn’t take part in the session.
“Seamus has done a little bit of work with the physio and the doctor today,” revealed the Derryman. “He’s very keen to play if he can but we’ll see. It’s a day-by-day thing and he is getting better every single day.”
If Coleman doesn’t recover in time, Derby County’s Cyrus Christie would his natural replacement. However, he also sat out today.
Cyrus didn’t train today as he is having a little problem with his groin but hopefully he will be available for selection,” added O’Neill. “He thinks he should be alright but we will see how he goes.
“He played very well in the match (against Brentford last weekend), as did they all. I thought Jeff (Hendrick) played well particularly in the first half and Richard (Keogh) came through with flying colours.”
Captain Robbie Keane and fellow striker Kevin Doyle, who both scored in the MLS last night, have yet to link up with the squad.
Originally published at 15.08
