Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott is a major doubt for the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Wales and Slovakia late next month.

The Dubliner had surgery on an ankle injury on Wednesday and faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.

"Stephen had an operation on his ankle yesterday," Sunderland manager Roy Keane said last night.

"He has been struggling with it for three or four weeks and it's similar to the problem he had on his other ankle."

Elliott (22) was named in Steve Staunton's squad for last week's qualifier against San Marino but, because of the injury, was forced to withdraw the weekend before the match.

"It's not a major disaster in terms of how long he will be out," Keane added. "Hopefully he will come back stronger and finish the season well, his goals could be important to us."

Elliott was never a likely starter for the Croke Park double-header as Kevin Doyle is nearing full fitness following a hamstring injury and, if fit, will return to partner Robbie Keane having missed the San Marino game.

Doyle faces a fitness test today ahead of Reading's FA Cup clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow.

The Wexford man has not featured for the club since mid-January but played 70 minutes for the reserves during the week.

"Doyle is still a little bit of a problem," Reading manager Steve Coppell said.  "He played Tuesday night but he's not 100 per cent at the moment.

"We'll take a view of it (today). We've got a few little niggles but I anticipate almost everyone being fit."