Soccer:Giovanni Trapattoni appears to have another injury worry after John O'Shea limped off the pitch during the first half of Tuesday's Champions League tie between Manchester United and Marseille at old Trafford.

The Republic of Ireland defender pulled up clutching his hamstring after attacking down the right wing and immediately signalled to the bench that he could no longer continue. Such an injury would cast serious doubts over the 29-year-old’s participation in Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia later this month.

Ireland host their Group B opponents at the Aviva Stadium on March 26th and there are already concerns over defensive stalwart Richard Dunne, while goalkeeper Shay Given (shoulder) is ruled out and captain Robbie Keane is recovering from injury.

It is expected the latter will be fit to play, but Dunne remains a concern with a shoulder injury and O’Shea’s absence would leave Ireland seriously lacking in experience at the back.

Were they to be ruled out it could mean competitive starts for Everton’s Seamus Coleman and Villa’s Ciaran Clarke, both of whom only made their debuts in the Carling Nations Cup win over Wales last month, in front of second choice goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.

Coleman made his first start in a senior Irish jersey on the right side of midfield but could be required to fill in at full-back, while Clarke was at left-back and may need to deputise in the centre. Stephen Kelly, Kevin Fokey, Kevin Kilbane, Darren O’Dea and Seán St Ledger were also named in Trapattoni’s squad yesterday, but of that quintet, only Kilbane and St Ledger could be described as experienced.

After four games in Group B, Ireland are currently second, two points behind Russia and three ahead of this month’s visitors.