Harry Arter will miss the Scotland game, on Saturday, thanks to a hip and groin injury.
The Bournemouth midfielder just made his international debut at the weekend, coming on in the second half in the 0-0 draw with England, but he might be ruled out for Ireland’s crunch European qualifier.
Arter was assessed on Wednesday after missing team training in Malahide with the problem and, after impressing with his first appearance in the green jersey. Interviewed by SportsJOE yesterday, Martin O’Neill said it would disappointing if he were to be out of contention for the upcoming game.
“Harry got a hip problem and a groin [problem]… That’s a shame because I thought when he came on [against England] that he did very, very well indeed and he’s starting to grow into this.
“I think that, actually, in the course of the next few months, his time with Bournemouth in the Premiership will stand him in great stand. But, overall, he made a very decent impression when he came on and I’m delighted for him.
“So, I’m a wee bit disappointed that he’s picked up this injury.”
Arter was the only player who didn’t start training with the Republic this morning but Hull defender Paul McShane did finish early after sustaining a toe injury which isn’t believed to be too serious.
O’Neill did, however, welcome back his captain, Robbie Keane, and, after getting a full 90 minutes on Sunday with his club coming back from injury, the manager is happy to have him back amongst the ranks.
“Not too bad [Robbie’s condition]. Obviously it was a long flight for him and he played the full game [for LA Galaxy against Whitecaps] and he wasn’t expecting to but he stayed on the field because they were losing the game. But he’s feeling not so bad now. It will maybe just take him a day to get himself sorted out,” O’Neill concluded.
*Updated from piece first posted on June 10
