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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At this stage i just don’t care anymore.
@ARZE BANDITO: I agree. Negative tactics in the last 2 games resulted in us going from a position of strength to only hoping for second place in the group and then only MAYBE a play off place. They’ve blown it.
Walters wasn’t fit against Serbia, simple as. Couldn’t break out of a jog and played 90 minutes.
@Rob O’Hanrahan: exactly, same with Georgia away
@Rob O’Hanrahan: Get Maguire in now, no ifs or buts.World cup is gone should be looking to the future now .MCarthy won’t be missed, time now for maybe Meyler and Hourihan to be put in the middle? Sheridan and Egan should also be brought in
@running man: If we beat Moldova at home we play Wales for a runner up spot and a chance to get into a play off match for the Workd Cup where anything could happen.But you carry on giving out and being pessimistic.
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: ehh the way it stands or group will be the lowest ranked of the runners up teams. So quite likely or group will miss out on a playoff regardless.
Dcremin1993@gmail.com
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: ehh the way or group stands at the minute, it will be the lowest ranked of the runners up teams. So quite like, we could miss out on a playoff regardless
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: Not giving out at all.Whats pessimistic about bringing in some younger players?None of our forwards are scoring at the moment, so why not give Maguire a go? Pace, power, great 1st touch, can put the ball in the net. Why don’t you want him in there?
@Greenthor16: What are your idea’s?Keep everything the way it is, and we’ll be grand is it?
@Denis Cremin: No one’s curious why he casually left his email address? No?
@Rob O’Hanrahan: thank god it wasn’t just me that seen he wasn’t fit,same in the euros
@running man: never Sheridan ,like Kelly should be brought the chap is on
@Graham Gallagher: Liam Kelly
I think we can live with that
Is it just me or would we be better off without walters, he offers nothing but work rate and has to play out of position along with no starting at club level. Lets move on from the old guard….