LAST UPDATE | 12 Mar 2021

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND manager Stephen Kenny could be forced to plan without Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah for the start of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Connolly missed Brighton & Hove Albion’s defeat to Leicester City last weekend with what was reported to be a back problem.

However, manager Graham Potter revealed this afternoon that, due to a cracked rib, the 21-year-old striker won’t feature again for his club until after the international break.

It’s not yet clear if this will prevent Connolly from linking up with the Ireland squad later this month, but the news is sure to be a concern for Kenny.

Idah has emerged as another likely absentee, with Norwich City manager Daniel Farke telling reporters today that the 20-year-old forward has a hernia injury that may require surgery. The Cork youngster will see a specialist on Monday.

Ireland are already set to be missing prominent players such as Darren Randolph, John Egan, James McCarthy and James McClean for the upcoming fixtures.

The Boys in Green are scheduled to play Serbia in Belgrade on 24 March, before welcoming Luxembourg to Dublin on 27 March 

Gavan Casey, Bernard Jackman, and Murray Kinsella discuss CVC’s share in the Six Nations, TV rights, Ireland’s trip to Edinburgh, and last weekend’s inter-pros:

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