TERRY PHELAN lost his battle to be ready for the Republic of Ireland's opening World Cup qualifying game in Liechtenstein next Saturday when he was forced to withdraw with a damaged hamstring.
Also out is Liverpool's Mark Kennedy, whose fitness had always been in doubt after he aggravated an Achilles tendon injury in the summer.
Both were members of the squad which toured America in June when Phelan, in particular, proved that he could be an asset in Mick McCarthy's rebuilding programme.
Unfortunately, he was injured during a pre season game with Chelsea, and after testing his fitness on Thursday, he was withdrawn from the Irish squad, yesterday by manager Ruud Gullit.
Kennedy's fitness was already a cause of some concern in America where he struggled in the closing stages of the tour. He subsequently went to Lilleshall for treatment, but his injury, regrettably, responded very slowly.
He will rue the lost opportunity of establishing himself in the national team after a highly frustrating season at Liverpool. Having established himself relatively early following his move from Millwall in February, 1995, he toiled throughout last, season when he had only one first team appearance to his credit.
From McCarthy's perspective, the loss of two left sided players reduces his options considerably. It means that Denis Irwin and Steve Staunton will almost certainly start the game in Vadiz, but, with only Ian Harte available as specialist cover, he could encounter problems.
Taken in conjunction with the earlier loss of Roy Keane and John Aldridge, it reduces the preliminary squad to 29 and the position could change again after the weekend programme in Britain.
"I think we are still reasonably well covered in all positions, but I'll be sitting tight by the telephone and hoping that we don't lose any more players over the next few days," McCarthy said.
He confirmed that Irwin, Jeff Kenna, Gary Kelly, Harte, Ken Cunningham and Jon Goodnian, all of whom will be he involved with their clubs either tomorrow or Monday, will be required to furnish reports of their fitness.
