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Damien Duff, one of the more exciting newcomers to surface in the Republic of Ireland squad last season, may miss the European championship game against Croatia at Lansdowne Road on September 5th.

After undergoing an operation for a groin problem last month, Duff will miss the start of Blackburn's Premiership programme against Derby County at the weekend.

A spokesman for the club was unable to say when the Dubliner will return to full training but given the tight time schedule, there will be genuine doubts about his fitness for the important European game.

Mick McCarthy said yesterday that he was still seeking to clarify the position but conceded that it was a worrying development. "Until such time as I have spoken with the player, it is premature to speculate on whether he will be available but obviously it's a problem we could have done without at this early stage of the season."

It is the second setback for the Ireland manager in his hopes of putting a full-strength team in the field for a critical assignment. Earlier he learned that Gary Kelly would not be available because of a recent operation.

The manager, who plans to announce his squad on August 26th, had better news, however, of Alan Moore. After missing much of last season through injury, Moore has figured prominently in Middlesbrough's pre-season games and is now likely to be in contention for a place in the Ireland squad for the Croatian fixture.