JON WALTERS AND James McCarthy have emerged as doubts for Ireland’s upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Walters in particular has been a crucial player for Ireland in recent times, scoring the equaliser in the home match against Austria as well as registering a number of crucial goals in the side’s previous Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Burnley’s Premier League match with Huddersfield this weekend, Clarets boss Sean Dyche said he was unsure when the 34-year-old forward would be fit to return to action.
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“He’s got to let his knee settle down a little bit, his knee flared up a bit, so we’re not sure on timescales with that,” Dyche explained.
Meanwhile, James McCarthy’s injury problems remain a concern. The 26-year-old midfielder has yet to play for the Toffees this season and has been unavailable for much of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign, last playing for his country in the 3-1 win away to Moldova just under a year ago.
And manager Ronald Koeman was also reluctant to give a precise timeframe on a potential return to first-team action for McCarthy, who last featured for the Toffees amid a 3-2 loss to Tottenham back in March
“He’s struggling with his fitness,” the Everton boss said. “I expect James back in training next week.”
When asked in this week’s press conference about Coleman and fellow long-term absentee Yannick Bolasie, Koeman said: “They are working hard but they need time. They are doing well but it’s not up to me to mention October or November. Normally, we expect them back in full training in November.”
Ireland face Moldova at Aviva Stadium on 6 October, before travelling to Cardiff to face Wales in their final Group D match three days later, with World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread after the recent 1-0 loss at home to Serbia.
Martin O’Neill will name his provisional squad for the fixtures on Tuesday, with further updates on the progress of Walters and McCarthy expected.
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Two players emerge as doubts for Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifiers
Updated at 14.23
JON WALTERS AND James McCarthy have emerged as doubts for Ireland’s upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Walters in particular has been a crucial player for Ireland in recent times, scoring the equaliser in the home match against Austria as well as registering a number of crucial goals in the side’s previous Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Burnley’s Premier League match with Huddersfield this weekend, Clarets boss Sean Dyche said he was unsure when the 34-year-old forward would be fit to return to action.
“He’s got to let his knee settle down a little bit, his knee flared up a bit, so we’re not sure on timescales with that,” Dyche explained.
Meanwhile, James McCarthy’s injury problems remain a concern. The 26-year-old midfielder has yet to play for the Toffees this season and has been unavailable for much of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign, last playing for his country in the 3-1 win away to Moldova just under a year ago.
And manager Ronald Koeman was also reluctant to give a precise timeframe on a potential return to first-team action for McCarthy, who last featured for the Toffees amid a 3-2 loss to Tottenham back in March
“He’s struggling with his fitness,” the Everton boss said. “I expect James back in training next week.”
There was positive news, however, on another Irish international, with Koeman suggesting Seamus Coleman could be back sooner than expected, after the Donegal native suffered a broken leg during Ireland’s clash at home to Wales last March.
When asked in this week’s press conference about Coleman and fellow long-term absentee Yannick Bolasie, Koeman said: “They are working hard but they need time. They are doing well but it’s not up to me to mention October or November. Normally, we expect them back in full training in November.”
Ireland face Moldova at Aviva Stadium on 6 October, before travelling to Cardiff to face Wales in their final Group D match three days later, with World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread after the recent 1-0 loss at home to Serbia.
Martin O’Neill will name his provisional squad for the fixtures on Tuesday, with further updates on the progress of Walters and McCarthy expected.
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World Cup Qualifiers Europe Concern James McCarthy Jon Walters Ireland Republic Wales