IRELAND MIDFIELDER HARRY Arter is likely to sit out Thursday’s World Cup qualifier with Georgia.
Manager Martin O’Neill revealed yesterday that several players are unavailable this week due to various injuries, with Arter remaining at Bournemouth to have a scan on his hamstring.
The tenacious 26-year-old has yet to link up with the squad and was effectively ruled out of Georgia game by assistant boss Roy Keane today — although there is a slight chance he could recover for Sunday’s match away to Moldova.
“He’s being assessed,” said Keane. “He had a scan yesterday and I think it was pretty positive but the player himself still feels a little bit tight.
“He’s not trained today and he’s not been over. If you don’t train two days before the game then that’s not good news. We just hope it (his hamstring) settles down over the next few days and he’ll be available for the second match but we wouldn’t be too hopeful once again.
“We’ll see. We’re travelling out the day after the game and obviously the medical staff have been in contact with his club, but it doesn’t sound too good, which is a shame.
He’s an important player for us and he’s been unlucky with one or two injuries lately, going back obviously to before the Euros. Fingers crossed it’s nothing too serious and he’ll be fit in the next week or two but not in time for our games.”
London-born Arter made his senior debut for the Boys in Green in a friendly against England in June 2015 but injuries have restricted him to three caps over the past 16 months.
His fine form in the Premier League for the Cherries this season prompted Sky Sports pair Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson to recently suggest he should be called up by new England caretaker Gareth Southgate.
As Arter has yet to appear for Ireland in a competitive match, he is still eligible to switch allegiance but Keane dismissed such an idea.
“Listen we’re delighted to have Harry on board and that he’s committed to us. It’s just unfortunate that he’s missed one or two games with injury.”
There was a more positive update on James McCarthy as the Everton man continues his recovery from a groin operation.
Having trained today, Keane says the midfielder could be fit to play some part against Georgia despite the fact that he hasn’t featured for the Toffees since 23 August.
“James had done a little bit yesterday and a bit more today and I have to say we’re usually cautious with players,” said Keane. “We always respect the player and the club but James has been really positive.
“He trained today and has seen no reaction for a player that has been injured for three or four weeks and, just after the operation, he looked really sharp.
“We’re very pleased with him but we’ll see over the next few days. We’ll get feedback from the medical staff.
“James seems really upbeat and positive about his recovery so fingers crossed if there’s no reaction over the next day or two I’d expect him to be available for the game on Thursday, which is good news for us because obviously we’ve picked up a few injuries.”
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