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Four players ruled out of Ireland World Cup qualifiers

Four players have been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming World Cup qual...



Four players ruled out of Irel...
Soccer

Four players ruled out of Ireland World Cup qualifiers

Four players have been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The Republic of Ireland have matches against Serbia, Luxembourg and Qatar over the next ten days, but will be without four players named in the original squad.

Their injuries have not been specified in the release from the FAI this afternoon [Sunday].

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is among those to miss out.

The Cork native did not feature for the Merseyside club at the end of last month, even when goalkeeper Alisson was unavailable on compassionate grounds.

He was not even in the matchday squad for that game with Sheffield United, with the club not elaborating on a specific injury.

Bournemouth's Mark Travers is now in line to start between the posts.

The absence of Conor Hourihane is also a big blow for Kenny.

He has been in good form since moving to Swansea City on loan from Aston Villa.

However, the Cork native limped off after just 18 minutes of their Championship clash with Cardiff City on Saturday.

Callum O'Dowda also failed to come through the weekend's club action, coming off in Bristol City's meeting with Rotherham.

Burnley's Kevin Long is also among the casualties.

Two players have been called into the squad.

U-21 international Conor Coventry has earned a first senior call-up.

Blackburn Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan has also been added by Stephen Kenny.

The squad convened in Manchester today, ahead of training tomorrow before travelling to Belgrade for the game with Serbia on Wednesday.

The international window also includes home fixtures against Luxembourg (Saturday) and Qatar on Tuesday week.

Portugal and Azerbaijan are the other teams in Group A.

Qatar will play at the World Cup, irrespective of their progress in the group, as the host country.

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