Double injury blow ahead of Denmark clash

James Mccarthy and Richard Keogh have joined Sean Maguire in being ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off against Denmark by injury.

The trio were included in the provisional 34-man party named by boss Martin O’neill last month for the two legs at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium on Saturday and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin three days later.

But Everton midfielder Mccarthy has been sidelined by a hamstring problem after making his only first-team appearance of the season on October 25, while Derby defender Keogh limped off early in his club’s 4-2 loss to Reading on Saturday due to a groin issue.

The Football Association of Ireland announced yesterday that the pair would miss the games against Denmark, along with Preston forward Maguire.

Other men dropping out fro mo’ neill’ s squad as he trimmed the group down to 27 are Celtic midfielder Jonny Hayes, David Mcgoldrick, Daryl Horgan and Alan Browne.

Hull midfielder David Meyler is included but will miss the first leg through suspension.

There is no place for Jonathan Walters, who has had a niggling knee injury.

Meanwhile Steven Davis’ former Northern Ireland colleague Damien Johnson has described the former Rangers midfielder as “one of the most under-rated players in the game” ahead of his 100th cap.

Davis, 32, will follow Pat Jennings and Hearts defender Aaron Hughes in bringing up a century of appearances for his country when he captains Michael O’neill’s side against Switzerland in the first leg of their World Cup play-off on Thursday.

Johnson said: “People like that command a huge amount of respect and young players can look up to him. He’s a terrific role model.

“Steven has been one of the best players we’ve ever produced.

“He’ll go down as a Northern Ireland all-time great and rightly so.”

Ireland’s James Mccarthy has been ruled out of the World Cup playoffs.