Soccer

No Jeff Hendrick in 25-man Ireland squad for crucial qualifier

Martin O’Neill confirms his squad for Georgia and Serbia World Cup qualifiers

Ireland will be without Jeff Hendrick for their upcoming qualifiers. Photograph: Inpho

Mon Aug 28 2017 - 16:16

Martin O’Neill has trimmed down his Republic of Ireland squad to 25 ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Serbia.

Injuries have ruled out James McCarthy (hamstring) and Jeff Hendrick (quad), while Eunan O’Kane has returned to his club due to an ongoing groin complaint.

Keiren Westwood (knee), David Meyler (knee) and Jonathan Walters (ankle) did not take a full part in training on Monday, as a precautionary measure, but are due to train on Tuesday.

Aiden McGeady and David McGoldrick are both due to join the squad on Tuesday, after being afforded extra time due to personal reasons.

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In all, 12 players have now been let go from O’Neill’s provisional squad. As well as O’Kane; former Cork City striker Seanie Maguire, veteran Kevin Doyle, Reading duo Stephen Quinn and Liam Kelly, centre backs Alex Pearce and Paul McShane, talented young defenders John Egan, Greg Cunningham and Matt Doherty, Preston North End’s Alan Browne, and goalkeeper Colin Doyle are all no longer involved.

The squad will have three more sessions before departing for Tbilisi on Thursday for the game against Georgia. That match is on Saturday, September 2nd, while the Serbia match is three days later.

Republic of Ireland Squad

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday)

Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley)

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), David Meyler (Hull City), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Daryl Horgan (Preston North End), Jonathan Hayes (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City)

Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Burnley), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town)

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