Keith O’Neill has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifying double header with Cyprus and Andorra just hours after receiving the international call-up.
The FAI announced this afternoon that O’Neill was being drafted into the squad as a late replacement for the injured Niall Quinn who was ruled out of contention with a back problem yesterday. Yet, within hours, it emerged that O’Neill was also suffering from a back injury and would not be released to join the Irish squad.
The Middlesbrough striker will be replaced by Bolton’s Gareth Farrelly.
Earlier Hibernian goalkeeper Nick Colgan received his late call-up as a groin injury ruled out Charlton Athletic’s Dean Kiely. Colgan, although a member of the squad in recent games, still has to make his international debut.
The Group 2 World Cup qualifying ties with Cyprus takes place in Nicosia on March 24, with the Andorra game in Barcelona four days later
Meanwhile, Republic Under-21 boss Don Givens has made one change for the European Championship qualifier against Cyprus in Larnaca next Friday.
Millwall striker Richard Sadlier has been forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury and is replaced by Shelbourne's Richie Foran, who has recently been watched by Celtic.
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