Updated at 20.08
IRELAND HAVE BEEN left with just two natural strikers following news this evening that David McGoldrick has been ruled out of Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Austria.
The Ipswich star sat out training today with a knee injury and a scan subsequently confirmed he would be unavailable for Sunday’s game at the Aviva Stadium.
The news means Ireland now have just two fit natural strikers to choose from — Jonathan Walters and Daryl Murphy — ahead of their pivotal upcoming match.
O’Neill has, in the past, experimented with winger James McClean operating in a more advanced role in the side, and the 65-year-old coach may be tempted to do so again at some stage of this weekend’s Group D encounter.
Aberdeen’s Adam Rooney and Kevin Doyle of Colorado Rapids were both included in the provisional Ireland squad to face Austria but neither made the final cut.
Shane Long, meanwhile, was forced to pull out of the squad after sustaining a broken metatarsal while playing in Southampton’s Premier League match against Middlesbrough last month.
In-form Cork City star Sean Maguire has been touted for a call-up in recent weeks, but O’Neill resisted the urge to include the 23-year-old in his latest squad, citing the youngster’s lack of experience at international level.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Keiren Westwood, Colin Doyle.
Defenders: Cyrus Christie, Alex Pearce, Richard Keogh, Shane Duffy, John O’Shea, Kevin Long, Andy Boyle, John Egan, Stephen Ward.
Midfielders: Aiden McGeady, Eunan O’Kane, Glenn Whelan, Harry Arter, Conor Hourihane, Alan Browne, Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Daryl Horgan, Wes Hoolahan, Callum O’Dowda, James McClean, Jonny Hayes.
Forwards: Jonathan Walters, Daryl Murphy.
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If only there was an in form striker in the country desperate for a chance to prove himself…
@Dean Ray: Ya call up an unproven LOI striker with no experience for the biggest World Cup Qualifier match in years makes perfect sense. What are Martin and Roy at?
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: he is certainly a better option than Kevin Doyle in my opinion, I don’t think his inclusion in the squad would harm our chances
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: if only we had you Eric
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: call him up and give him the experience of seeing what it’s all about. It will only improve the player There is no reason not to have him in the squad
@Dean Ray: or even a polish based irish striker, would do
@Dean Ray: Neither Doyle nor Maguire are in the squad
True that
Walters up front and Wessie in the hole, McClean and Brady out wide, Arter and Hendrick in the middle. Needs to drop Whelan. Have a go at them, try play some football. Looking forward to Sunday. COYBIG.
@Bingobango: who protects the back four against Alaba? Whelan has to play.
@Old Gabby Johnson: Arter is more than capable of doing that job and is more adept at transitioning play. Whelan offers nothing but doggedness with little or no footballing prowess. If Arter was given that role I think he can boss it.
@Old Gabby Johnson: Whelan went off early doors in the last game against Austria and we were infinitely better. Myler came on and it was him who broke up the play and made a positive run to give it to Wes and set up the goal. Anyone with a heart can do Whelans job but we should be looking to play football when we can. We’re capable. Trap tactics should be consigned to the annals of history.
@Old Gabby Johnson: unless someone kicks him in the head before the game (for some reason he plays ok then) Whelan shouldnt be allowed off the team bus. Have a look at Austrias last 3 matches, hes not needed.
Bingobango, you’re talking an alarming amount of sense. Is there a newsletter I can subscribe to?
Ye’d want to calm down on the Sean Maguire train lads. I’d bet he won’t dislodge callum Robinson from the Preston team. Decent player but firing in a few goals against mostly semi pro opposition isn’t going to get you in the Ireland team if it does we’ve no hope. I enjoy the LOI I’ve a few friends playing in it so I follow it, so I not bashing but this has all happened before with Richie towell. Maguire didnt necessarily bang them in for the Ireland 21s either
@BobWallace87: the him a few weeks
@billy Dorney: I hope I’m wrong god knows we need a striker
@BobWallace87: Richie Towell was injured. He will be playing in the Premiership next season.. Kevin Doyle was great in his day, but the 90s are over! At least Maguire has actually scored a goal in the last 2 years!
There are 2 magic things in Football. One is a sponge, the other is the plane to the UK. Both result in miraculous changes soon after use.
@Gerard O’Brien: loi is not championship standard – hes unproven a few games in if he scores settles at that level bring him in.
@Old Gabby Johnson: MLS is probably worse standard than the championship too and Doyle still can’t score a goal. High confidence and good for can result in good performances regardless of if it’s the championship or not.
@Conor Flynn: in fairness Find all are championship standard , they proved the worth in the Europa league. He got a hat trick against them, so he’s worth having in the squad at least.
Westwood
Christie. O’Shea. Duffy. Ward
Hendrick. Arter
Brady. Hoolahan McClean
Walters (C)
Daryl Murphy 24 games 1 goal,just not good enough,give a league of ireland player a chance or bring back Kevin Doyle
@dick dastardly: Loi
We are going to beat Austria..6/4 is actually a pretty decent price. Ireland should be 1/2 for this game.
Put it as your banker in your multiples and accas next week.
Some pace up front
@Ollie Watson: snail pace,,,,on a good day
@billy Dorney: it’s a joke pal
@Ollie Watson: it sure is (sic),,,yeah,git you’re meaning,,,,,but seriously,its a joke!
Maybe this man??
https://wp.me/p8sksY-y6
@League Of Ireland: that’s our seanie
What about the forgotten man Kevin Doyle
@Johnny Cronley: he’s shite
Make the call Martin, Johny C will give you his number…
Cillian facking Sheridan
We’re lucky none of our strikers are our goal scorers so!
Shane long?
Stephen Ireland ? Although I heard his granny isn’t too well.
@Liam: Shane Long’s injured Liam
Get a tall lad and keep knocking long balls the length of the pitch to him. Can’t fail really.