WITH TWO DAYS to go until Ireland are tasked with stopping the world champions in Dublin, there was further reason to be concerned at their training base today.
Martin O’Neill is already without Glenn Whelan, James McClean (both suspended), Ciaran Clark, Stephen Quinn and Harry Arter (all injured) for the visit of the Euro 2016 Group D leaders.
And while Derby County full-back Cyrus Christie trained today, Seamus Coleman and Marc Wilson remain major doubts for Thursday’s vital fixture.
Add to that the fact that Wes Hoolahan played no part in this afternoon’s session and Ireland’s squad is looking significantly weakened.
“Most managers in international football will tell you the problem is that you turn up and there are injuries and suspensions, like we have this week,” said assistant boss Roy Keane. ”That’s part of the game.
“Obviously we’d like everyone to be available. (Kevin) Doyler has just flown in this morning and we’re just waiting for Robbie to arrive (later today).
“It’s not ideal but what do you do? You’ve just got to face it and hopefully the lads might be fit in the next day or two.”
When pushed on the severity of Norwich schemer Hoolahan’s problem, Keane revealed that there is a chance he could make a full recover by match day.
“He got a knock on his heel from the weekend and it is pretty sore,” he said. “The fact that he didn’t train today tells you that it must be sore.
“With Wes’ injury, another 24 hours will make a bit difference to it. Seamus hasn’t kicked a ball for three or four weeks so he will be more of a concern. We’ll see how it goes.
“There is no problem with his (Hoolahan’s) fitness levels. If he needs another day’s rest it’s not the end of the world.
Ideally we would like your lads to do something the day before the game but it has been known for players to wait until the day of the game.
“Wes has played regularly recently so you would give him that benefit. He’s an important player for us.”
12 months ago, David Meyler filled at full-back and put in a solid performance as John O’Shea’s late equaliser earned the Boys in Green a 1-1 draw in Gelsenkirchen.
And while the Hull City man said he would happily do a job in the backline again, Keane expects his fellow Cork man to be competing for a spot in the midfield with Christie more likely to be named at right-back if Coleman doesn’t make it.
“I would have thought that he (Meyler) will have a better chance in midfield because Cyrus has come on the scene,” added Keane.
“We still don’t know the situation with Seamus so if Meyler was looking to start it would be more likely be in midfield.
Like all the players, Meyler did a job in Germany and whatever he does he won’t let us down.”
Germany dropped points to Ireland and Poland early in the campaign but four wins from four in 2015 has put Joachim Löw’s sitting comfortably on top of the group. When asked if he thought they have improved since the last time the teams met, Keane said:
“Absolutely, but I think we are a stronger team as well. As you would expect with any campaign, teams improve. We were still new to the job at the time and I think we’re a better team.
“Germany were a bit sluggish at the start but with all the qualities we have it was only a matter of time before they started winning matches and they will top the group now no doubt. But we will be ready.”
