Birmingham City midfielder Keith Fahey has been ruled out of Ireland’s crucial double header with Slovakia and Russia because of a groin injury.
The former St. Pat’s man, frequently referred to as Keith Faw-hey by commentators across the pond, was an unused substitute in the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Watford at the weekend and it has since been confirmed by the FAI that he has been formally withdrawn from the squad for both games.
With Darron Gibson also set to miss because of an ankle injury, Ireland are looking increasingly short of options in the centre of midfield. The absence of Fahey and potentially Gibson will lead to calls for the promotion of James McCarthy to the senior squad.
The talented Wigan midfielder is due to link up with Noel King’s Irish under-21 squad for the game against Hungary in Sligo on Thursday night, but could be pressed into senior service by Giovanni Trapattoni, who has had his patience tested by the 20-year old on a number of occasions in his brief international career to date.
Elsewhere, Shay Given is almost certain to feature despite suffering a minor back injury in Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with Wolves on Saturday. Given will undergo treatment at Villa before joining up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday, three days prior to the meeting with Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium.
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