Carsley and Reid withdrawn from squad

Everton midfielder Lee Carsley and Blackburn new boy Steven Reid have been withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for Tuesday…

Everton midfielder Lee Carsley and Blackburn new boy Steven Reid have been withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for Tuesday's friendly international against Australia at Lansdowne Road.

Carsley has a knee ligament injury while Reid has an ankle problem which kept him out of Rovers' victory over newly-promoted Wolves at Ewood Park yesterday.

Manager Brian Kerr brought 14 players together for a light training session in Dublin today and was hoping the seven other members of his squad would check into the team headquarters tomorrow.

Charlton's Matt Holland, Newcastle duo Shay Given and Andy O'Brien, Chelsea's Damien Duff and Liverpool's Steve Finnan were in Premiership action today while Leeds' Ian Harte and Manchester City's Richard Dunne did not play.

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Kerr is anxious to keep the momentum going in preparation for the vital Group 10 European Championship tie against Russia in Dublin on September 6th.

"Australia are making progress in international football as their 3-1 victory over England at Upton Park last February proved," he said.

"The important thing is that we pick up where we left off against Albania and Georgia at the end of the season and keep the momentum going for the Russian match."

Australia will be without Rangers defender Craig Moore after he suffered a hamstring injury in his club's 1-1 draw in the Champions League qualifying tie with Copenhagen at Ibrox last Wednesday.

Manager Frank Farina was hoping that seven of his squad would travel to Dublin on Monday morning after playing for their clubs around Europe.