Striker Jon Walters handed Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni a scare when he hobbled off the training pitch in Malahide today.

The Stoke frontman, who sat out yesterday with a back problem, was hurt in a collision with Shane Long towards the end of this morning’s session and needed treatment on the pitch.

He was eventually able to walk to the coach as he and his team-mates headed back to the hotel. His ankle will be assessed over the next 24 hours, although the the Ireland camp are hopeful there will be no lasting damage.

"Yeah, it was a bit of a bang, he stepped over the ball as Shane Long came in and hit the nerve in the outsie of the leg," said goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly today. "It’s just an impact injury so he should be okay. It’s not a twist or anything like that and once the initial burning went he got back up, he’s a tough lad Jonathan.

He added: "Obviously you’d have to be assessed after something like that but I was talking to him there and he’s okay, he was just getting over the initial shock of it all, we’ll get a bit of ice on it but like I say, he’s a big tough lad, Jonathan, I think he’ll be alright."

Goalkeeper David Forde and midfielder Glenn Whelan were able to train today as Trapattoni pressed ahead with his preparations for Friday night’s World Cup qualifier in Sweden.