Anxious Arter waits on scan results ahead of Wales date

HARRY ARTER has emerged as an injury concern for Ireland ahead of Friday week’s World Cup qualifier against Wales.

The Bournemouth midfielder has undergone a scan on the calf that he injured during last Saturday’s Premier League win over West Ham United.

Arter has suffered an unlucky run with injuries since his club ascended to top flight level and he also missed Euro 2016 due to an untimely setback.

Bournemouth were not too alarmed by Arter’s knock in the aftermath of the West Ham game and he is aiming to be fit for a vital clash with Swansea on Saturday.

Eddie Howe will be keen to have one of his main men at full steam for that fixture and the Irish camp will be hoping it does not impact upon his availability for next week’s proceedings.

After a stop-start introduction to his Irish career, Arter was thrown into last November’s game in Vienna and played his part in a key win over Austria.

He would be a strong contender to feature against the Welsh with Robbie Brady suspended and James McCarthy suffering with ongoing hamstring issues.

Chris Coleman will name his squad tomorrow and there is strong speculation that Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn will be drafted into their panel to end England’s hopes of getting him on board.

LOYAL

Coleman was confident that the Chester-born attacker would honour his word and stay loyal to Wales despite the attention from the English FA.

The Welsh are top seeds in Ireland’s group and they started the campaign as favourites following their excellent performance in Euro 2016 where they reached the semi-finals.

Ireland’s campaign did not reach those heights, but some of the stars of the Irish summer are represented in the shortlist for Sunday’s ‘Three’ FAI International Awards for 2016.

The ceremony has been delayed until March because it always coincides with the first Irish game of the following calendar year when the senior players are in town–with the loss of the February date from the international itinerary extending that wait.

Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick and Seamus Coleman are nominated for the Senior Player of the Year gong, with Brady, Hendrick and Shane Duffy shortlisted for the young player honours.

Karen Duggan, Aine O’Gorman and Stephanie Roche are up for the senior women’s award while ex-Dundalk duo Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle make the final three for League of Ireland Player of the Year along with Cork City’s Sean Maguire.

Dundalk will also receive the Special Merit Award for their European exploits.