MAN UNITED MIDFIELDER Darron Gibson is a doubt for Ireland’s upcoming playoff games against Estonia, as he takes longer than expected to recover from a foot injury.
Gibson’s potential absence, however, is unlikely to have any effect on Ireland’s starting XI, with Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan seemingly having established themselves as the first-choice central midfield pairing.
It is just the latest injury concern for Trapattoni’s men, with John O’Shea, Shane Long and now Darren O’Dea doubtful, ahead of the all-important fixtures.
Speaking in relation to O’Shea’s injury, his club manager Steve Bruce told reporters:
“It is a concern because it is the same one he did in Germany [on a pre-season tour] – it’s the same sort of thing he has done lifting his leg up.”
However, there has been some positive news for Trapattoni’s men of late, with Robbie Keane emerging unscathed from his LA Galaxy return on Saturday.
The striker’s recovery represents a timely boost for Trapattoni, who initially seemed to be facing the prospect of having to field a makeshift strike-force of Jonthan Walters and Simon Cox, with Keane and Long both doubtful, and Kevin Doyle suspended for the first game.
