Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy must plan for Wednesday's 2004 European Championship qualifier against Switzerland with just 19 squad members following the withdrawal of Rory Delap this morning.
The versatile Southampton star has a sore calf and did not train with the squad today. McCarthy is to speak with under-21 coach Don Givens regarding a possible replacement.
Birmingham captain Jeff Kenna (achilles) and Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien (hamstring) withdrew over the weekend.
Goalkeeper Shay Given sat out today's session after turning on his ankle at Baldonnel yesterday but his manager expects him to be "fine" for Wednesday's game. Sunderland defender Phil Babb did not train due to a sore throat while Matt Holland was again rested after playing for Ipswich at the weekend.
Delap's withdrawal has robbed McCarthy of options on the right flank. With Jason McAteer - his first choice wideman - still recovering from a stomach strain there was a possibility that Delap's versatility could have played him into the starting eleven. However, it is now realistic that the manager will push Gary Kelly up the line and slot Manchester United's John O'Shea in at full back.
"Its amazing how many (injuries) we've had," said McCarthy, "not in the past but recently and all of a sudden there's Jason McAteer, Steve Finnan, Rory Delap, Jeff Kenna and Steve Carr out."
"With the lads that we've got, there's always Gary Kelly that can play there (right midfield) and John O'Shea can play right back. Colin Healy and Lee Carsley have also both done it."
McCarthy admitted that Damien Duff "is an option" on the right wing but said he thought "the best strike partnership I have is Duffer and Robbie (Keane). We've still got 4-4-2 to play without any problems."
The manager spoke openly about the pressures facing his team following last month's humiliating 4-2 defeat to Russia in Moscow. "It comes with the territory," he said.
"It's great when you get off to a good start in a championship and we've done that the last couple of times," he explained. "But we're in a different position now and of course it adds an extra bit of pressure when you've set off and haven't got a result."
He added: "It's always about winning your home games. Nothing's changed. It's a results business and we need to win."
McCarthy has yet to face Switzerland in his role as Ireland coach but he has been impressed with the way leading Swiss club FC Basle have performed in this season's Champions League.
"With the results that Basle have had it has put Swiss football to the fore a little bit more.
"We know all about Italian and French and Spanish and Premiership and stuff that is shown (on television) but having seen Switzerland play (against Albania on Saturday) and Basle play against Celtic, I think they're on a bit of a high just at the minute.
"They firmly believe that the group is between Russia, ourselves and them and having seen them I don't disagree. They're a good side, well organised and have good players."
McCarthy will delay naming his team until shortly before kick-off on Wednesday.