IRELAND’S STRIKER PROBLEMS continued today, as Jonathan Walters sat out training as a precautionary measure ahead of Sunday’s vital World Cup qualifier against Austria.
The Stoke star did not take part in the team’s open training session at the Aviva Stadium today owing to a knee problem, and while he is expected to be fit against Austria, it represents a further worry for the Boys in Green who are already light up front.
Following the withdrawal of Shane Long from the squad after the Tipperary native picked up a broken metatarsal while playing in Southampton’s Premier League match against Middlesbrough last month, there was further bad news last night as Ipswich star David McGoldrick was ruled out of the upcoming Group D clash.
If the Stoke attacker is rendered unavailable, Ireland would be left with just one natural striker left in their squad — Newcastle’s Daryl Murphy, though Martin O’Neill has experimented with James McClean in attack in the past.
Aberdeen’s Adam Rooney and Kevin Doyle of Colorado Rapids both made the provisional squad but failed to feature in the final cut, with a call-up for either unlikely at this stage.
There have also recently been calls for the inclusion of Jagiellonia Białystok’s Cillian Sheridan and Cork City’s Sean Maguire, with O’Neill last week citing a lack of experience as his reason for omitting the latter.
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It’s a pity that there’s no in form striker in the league of Ireland that’s desperate for a chance isn’t it
@Jordo Callaghan: O’Neill is a fool for overlooking Maguire and Sheridan.
Can they not call up players to the squad, surely if Adam Rooney made provisional squad he’s due a call now?
Regardless of the arguments of who to call up. Think we can all agree,that to call up nobody is very risky.
Sure he has signed for an English club now, so he could get a call yet. He is inform Irish goal scorer at the moment.Current form does,nt seem to matter to this manager
Maguire played and scored in the Europa league last year but Marty reckons he has no experience.Feckin hell,more bullshite.