No Jeff Hendrick, no Jon Walters, no Harry Arter.
The Derby, Stoke and Bournemouth players have all had to pull out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the international friendlies with Switzerland and Slovakia owing to injury and it leaves a hole in the spine of the team.
Hendrick had been struggling all week and Roy Keane admitted on Tuesday that he’d probably have to go back to England for treatment and that is the case.
Harry Arter’s Premier League performances, meanwhile, had excited many and these March games were seen as a prime opportunity for the midfielder to stake a proper claim in the Ireland team for the first time.
But he has had to return to the UK and he is joined on his travels by Jeff Hendrick – whose spot he might have taken – and none other than Jon Walters.
The Republic trained at a sunny Abbotstown on Wednesday morning and, apart from the lads who have had to withdraw from the squad, everyone else was there and everyone – barring Robbie Keane – were training.
The captain was the only player to sit out of Wednesday’s session, which included another appearance for Manchester City youngster Jack Bryne.
Martin O’Neill spoke highly of the Dubliner after the under-21 international was brought in for training at the beginning of the week.
The injury to Walters raises a few slight hopes for Byrne’s inclusion in the full squad. O’Neill admitted that, if the youngster impressed him, he would be foolish not to consider him as an option, but that he did think this camp would be too early for him.
Meanwhile, Alan Judge, Eunan O’Kane and Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes will be sniffing around looking for a spot in those Friday and Tuesday night friendlies against the Swiss and the Slovakians.
