Mick needs keeper for Travers KO

MICK MCCARTHY will add another goalkeeper to the Ireland squad today after Mark Travers was ruled out with injury.

Bournemouth’s rising star – who made his

Premier League debut earlier this month - suffered a freak injury at the team’s training camp in Portugal.

The incident happened during Wednesday’s afternoon session at Quinta do Lago on the Algarve.

Mccarthy, who was assessing his cover options last night, said: “It’s an injury that Alan Kelly [goalkeeping coach] and the Doc [Alan Byrne] have never seen.

“He’s got a displaced fracture of his thumb. It’s really sad for us because he’s a great lad to have around the place and a good goalkeeper.

“But he’s got to go back and get it repaired if he wants to be ready for the start of the Premier League season.”

In Portugal this week, Travers spoke of wanting to push Darren Randolph for the gloves sooner rather than later.

Travers said on Tuesday: “He’s had a great season with Middlesbrough, he’s a great goalkeeper and a great guy as well.

“But of course I’m not here just for the experience, I want to push him as much as I can.”

Randolph and Sean Mcdermott of Norwegian side Kristiansund are the two goalkeepers left in the squad for the Denmark and Gibraltar double-header.

Mcdermott replaced injured Manchester United youngster Kieran O’hara last week while Kieren Westwood wasn’t considered as he needs knee treatment.

Mccarthy’s hunt for another goalkeeper was also complicated yesterday by players being away on holidays following the conclusion of the club season.

Newcastle United’s Rob Elliott is fit again after his injury nightmare but is down the Toon’s pecking order and hasn’t played since December 2017.