Ireland boost as Eriksen and Bale set to miss Dublin trips

DENMARK manager Age Hareide has effectively conceded he will be without star man Christian Eriksen for Saturday’s UEFA Nations League date in Dublin.

And Martin O’Neill could receive another boost ahead of a crunch double-header as doubts still surround the availability of Gareth Bale for the visit of Wales next Tuesday.

Eriksen was not named in the Denmark squad for their Aviva Stadium return, but the door had been left open in case the Spurs playmaker showed signs of recovery from a stomach problem.

However, Hareide indicated yesterday that it would be a massive risk as there are concerns the injury could be more serious than initially feared.

“Such an injury can be chronic, and it is true that Tottenham also fear that,” said Hareide.

“It is doubtful whether we will lure him to Dublin and make him play. I do not think that Tottenham are particularly interested in that.”

Bale was taken off in Real Madrid’s league meeting with Alaves on Saturday due to the recurrence of a groin problem.

He sat out the first Wales training session of the week and it’s possible that he will be left out of Thursday’s friendly with Spain in order to give him every opportunity of being fit for the competitive renewal of rivalries with Ireland.

O’Neill’s Ireland squad begin their preparations with an open training session in the Aviva Stadium today.

The FAI are yet to confirm the trimmed-down squad but Preston have confirmed that Graham Burke has missed out while Ronan Curtis will link up with the U-21 squad instead.

Wolves’ Matt Doherty will arrive in good spirits after he was voted the Premier League’s PFA Fans’ Player of the Month for September. The Dubliner received 39pc of the public votes with Eden Hazard second.