Newcastle keeper Shay Given, Bohemians striker Glen Crowe and Leeds midfielder Stephen McPhail all missed training today as the Republic of Ireland continued their preparations for Saturday's European Championship qualifying tie against Albania at Lansdowne Road.
Given, capped 50 times by his country, suffered a calf muscle strain yesterday when diving to save a ball while Crowe has not trained since limping off with a knee injury in his club's 1-0 defeat to St Patrick's Athletic on Friday.
McPhail suffered a dead leg in yesterday's training session and was withdrawn as a precaution.
Republic manager Brian Kerr explained: "Crowe has soreness in a the tendon at the back of his knee. He will have a scan on Tuesday. Glen hasn't trained yet and he needs to be training soon." But he added: "The injuries to Given and McPhail are not serious."
Kerr, who is hoping to extend his unbeaten run to five games since taking over from Mick McCarthy in January, is delighted with the steady progress of Millwall midfielder Steven Reid, out of the game since picking up a knee injury in April.
"Steven has taken a full part in our training sessions. He always wanted to be available for this game against Albania and then the next match in Dublin against Georgia the following Wednesday."
Kerr will be hoping both Reid and Crowe will be available for selection. If both are ruled out, that could mean a call-up for either Rotherham's Alan Lee or Wimbledon's David Connolly to partner Tottenham's Robbie Keane in attack with Blackburn's Damien Duff switched to the wing.
"These next two games are `must-wins' for us," said Kerr. "Switzerland are in pole position at the moment with eight points from four games. If they win their next two matches at home to Russia and Albania that would put them in a fantastic position to qualify.
"We cannot do anything about that situation but concentrate on winning our own games. Against Albania there will be no dramatic changes, but the players will know that they can be flexible if the need arises."
Millwall man Reid, a transfer target for Blackburn, was pleased to be back in the squad having only played once for the Republic under Kerr, in the 2-0 victory over Scotland at Hampden Park in February.
"After playing as a substitute in the World Cup finals in Japan last summer, it has been a frustrating season for me with injuries. Like everyone else in the panel I would like to be involved at some stage. I have had two good hard days work - but want two more," he said.
PA