THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland will be without Chiedozie Ogbene and Nathan Collins for next month’s friendly double header against Hungary and Portugal.
Interim manager John O’Shea will name his squad for the June games on Tuesday afternoon but will be unable to call on key figures in defence and attack.
With goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and striker Evan Ferguson already ruled out through injury the loss of Ogbene and Collins will be a major blow.
While the Brentford centre back missed the last game of the Premier League season against Newcastle due to a knee complaint, Ogbene’s absence is due to family reasons.
The Luton Town man only made his return to their starting XI on the final day of the campaign after damaging his hamstring tendon on international duty in March.
The Cork native came off in the second half of the 0-0 draw with Belgium and had to watch on from the sidelines as Luton eventually suffered relegation from the English top flight.
Ireland face Hungary at Aviva Stadium next Tuesday (4 June) before travelling to Portugal to face Roberto Martinez’s side on 11 June.
