O’NEILL: TIME TAKES TOLL

MARTIN O’NEILL is expecting an “exodus” from his squad once the World Cup qualifying campaign runs its course.

But the manager, who may be facing his final two games, wants to limit retirements from his ageing side. John O’Shea (36), Wes Hoolahan (35), Jonathan Walters (34), Daryl Murphy (34) and Glenn Whelan (33) may bow out ahead of Euro 2020 qualifying.

And Walters could have played his last game as he is injured for tomorrow’s clash with Moldova and Monday’s game in Wales. O’Neill (right) said: “It’s just a natural progression that one or two will probably end up calling it a day but I’m hoping it’s not tomorrow or Monday.

“There was talk after the Euros that one or two might drop away. I think there would be a natural exodus.”