Republic of Ireland have been dealt an injury blow just a few days before their game against world champions, Germany.
Martin O’Neill has injury concerns over defenders Seamus Coleman, Marc Wilson and Ciaran Clark ,which means Ireland’s back four on Thursday will more than likely contain two Derby County players, Cyrus Christie and Richard Keogh.
There’s even more news to bring worry to Ireland fans, as two of the three scorers for Bayern at the weekend will be in action for Germany this week – Thomas Müller and Mario Götze.
The good news is that Seamus Coleman was in Dublin today as the Ireland squad met up to train for the first time, but the Donegal man, who was absent from Everton’s squad for the Merseyside derby yesterday, is not expected to be fit for Thursday’s game
Make shift defence looks likely for O'Neill
Everton boss, Roberto Martinez, said: “Seamus was desperate to play for Ireland but medically he wasn’t ready.
“I don’t know how long it is going to take," he added. The Spaniard has his doubts that he will be fine in "two or three days", and thinks "it is going to be a bit longer than that". Martinez did give the Republic fans some hope, saying Everton will work together with Ireland to get Coleman "on the pitch as quick as we can".
An Everton physio has travelled to Dublin to work with Coleman this week but it looks like O’Neill will have to plan for the Germany game without him, pushing Christie into contention for right-back. Then, with Clark out of the squad and Bournemouth’s Wilson struggling, it could be up to Keogh to start alongside John O’Shea against the World Cup holders.
Gibson back in the squad
The concerns don’t end there, as midfield is also a problem area. Glenn Whelan is suspended for Thursday’s game which means there is a big hole to fill. Darron Gibson had a very confusing day yesterday as well – and that's not in relation to the Merseyside derby. He was excluded from the 27-man squad which O’Neill announced in the early hours, then found himself back in the fold by tea-time yesterday.
The initial snub and subsequent late call-up from the Republic of Ireland boss, who joked last month about Gibson’s court appearance on a drink-driving charge, is bound to improve the midfielder’s mood.