Mark Kennedy has dramatically withdrawn from the Ireland World Cup squad and will be replaced by Millwall's Steven Reid.
The Wolverhampton winger appeared to have allayed any injury fears after playing 83 minutes of last night's testimonial match against Sunderland.
But he is believed to have suffered a reaction to the groin strain which has tormented him for the past month, and this morning admitted to manager Mick McCarthy that he will not be fit enough to travel.
Kennedy was said to be devastated at missing out on the trip to Japan, but his loss will spell good news for Stephen Reid who has been drafted in to replace the unlucky Dubliner.
The winger, who has impressed in Ireland's recent friendlies, received the news from Mick McCarthy this morning.
"I had booked a holiday a couple of days ago to Barbados," he told Millwall's official website, "my brother picked me up this morning to take us to the airport, I turned my mobile on and there was a message from Mick McCarthy to ring him and he said that I'm going to Japan."
"To be in the Irish squad is a massive bonus and to play a second or a minute in the World Cup would be a dream come true."