Martin O’Neill did not need this news.
The Republic of Ireland manager has had to make some last-minute changes to his squad ahead of this week’s pair of World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Moldova.
O’Neill has called up two uncapped players in the form of Adam Rooney and Ian Lawlor to provide cover for the injured Daryl Murphy and Keiren Westwood.
Exciting prospects #COYBIG https://t.co/UVK6Q2jDRQ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 3, 2016
But in what will likely be the most pressing concern for O’Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane, Harry Arter is also a fitness concern after picking up a hamstring injury at Watford on Saturday.
Arter had been enjoying a spectacular start to the season with Bournemouth, persuading Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson to back him for a literally impossible England call-up.
The 26-year-old underwent treatment in the first half of last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road but, tough as he is, he battled through the pain and saw out the 90 minutes.
But that may not have been the wisest course of action as Arter admitted after the game that he may have to undergo a scan on his leg.
“It was a little bit sore. I’ll probably have a scan on it on Monday, so fingers crossed it won’t be anything too serious,” Arter told the Bournemouth Echo.
“It was very sore in the second half but I was able to get through the game. I just tried to grit my teeth and get through it. We’ll assess it now.”
Arter did not train with the Irish squad at Abbotstown on Monday as he remained with the Cherries to be assessed.
We anxiously await an update!
The GAA Hour pays tribute to the unbeatable Dubs and ask where did it all go wrong for Mayo in the All-Ireland final replay. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
