Hoolahan worry for clash with Wales
MARTIN O’NEILL’S 39-man Ireland squad for the qualifier could be set to be trimmed down without his seal of approval as Ciaran Clark and Harry Arter missed club action through injury, while Wes Hoolahan lasted just 30 minutes of Norwich’s game with Barnsley yesterday.
‘It’s looking like (he’ll miss the internationals), he’s got a thigh strain. We will report in to Ireland and let them know what’s happened. I think it’s clear for everybody to see that it’s a genuine injury,’ said Canaries caretaker boss Alan Irvine after the 2-0 win. ‘They may well want to have a look at Wes and if they do of course he’ll travel over there.’
Arter has a calf injury and Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe indicated that it could be bad enough for the midfielder to miss Friday’s World Cup qualifier at the Aviva.
Clark missed Newcastle’s 0-0 draw at Birmingham with a knee problem that Toon manager Rafa Benitez confirmed as a medial ligament issue. Interestingly, Wales defender Paul Dummett played in the game despite being ruled out of Chris Coleman’s squad with injury.
James McCarthy missed Everton’s 4-0 win over Hull WES: with a hamstring injury, though skipper Seamus Coleman played the full 90 minutes. David Meyler was an unused sub for the Tigers.
There were other positives for Ireland as James McClean was on the West Brom team that beat Arsenal 3-1, Aiden McGeady got a late equaliser in Preston’s 2-2 draw at Blackburn, with Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle also starting for the Lilywhites. Jon Walters was also on target – from the penalty spot in his case – though his goal could not earn Stoke a point over Premier League leaders Chelsea, while Darren Randolph conceded three goals as West Ham suffered another home defeat at the London Stadium, going down 3-2 to
There were four squad members starting as Burnley and Sunderland drew 0-0, John O’Shea and Stephen Ward particularly will be happy with their respective clean sheets. The Clarets’ Jeff Hendrick and Darron Gibson of the Black Cats also played.
Jonny Hayes was on target as Aberdeen strengthened their hold on second in the SPFL with a 2-0 win over Hearts. Adam Rooney also started for the Dons.