Jonathan Walters' injury woes continue with Burnley striker sidelined indefinitely by knee problem

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Jon Walters has emerged as a serious injury concern ahead of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup double-header next month.

Walters, 33, is on the casualty list at Burnley with recurring knee trouble and no date has been set for his return.

The veteran striker missed the Clarets' midweek League Cup defeat by Leeds and won't be involved against Huddersfield in the Premier League on Saturday.

Jonathan Walters missed Burnley's midweek Carabao Cup defeat by Leeds

Burnley boss Sean Dyche is unsure when Walters will be able to return to training, which is grim news for Ireland — Martin O'Neill names his squad for the must-win Group D games against Moldova and Wales next Tuesday.

'Jon has got to let his knee settle down a little bit, his knee flared up a bit so we're not sure of the timescales with that,' said Dyche on Thursday.

Walters has had clean-up operations on his knee twice in the past 18 months, in March 2016 and in January of this year.

If he requires similar surgery again, he will be out for four to six weeks.

His absence would be a huge blow to O'Neill, who has leaned on Walters to deliver vital goals throughout his reign as Ireland manager.

If O'Neill's attacking options are reduced, it could present Preston's Sean Maguire and Aston Villa's Scott Hogan with an opportunity to muscle into O' Neill's 11th hour World Cup strategy.

The Irish striker will not be involved against Huddersfield on Saturday

Both are expected to figure in O'Neill's provisional squad next Tuesday.

While O'Neill can't look past the final qualifiers, there is a possibility that Seamus Coleman could yet figure in the play-offs should Ireland advance.

The Ireland captain is 'working hard,' and is ahead of schedule after his horrific double leg-break against Wales in March, and is back training at Everton.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman gave an update on Coleman and Yannick Bolasie when asked when they would back training with the first team.

'I think it will be November, not October. They are working hard but they need time.

'They are doing well. Normally we expect them back in full training in November.'

The World Cup play-offs take place between November 9 and November 14.

Ireland goalkeeping legend Packie Bonner believes the damage to Ireland's campaign was done the night Coleman's leg was shattered.

'I thought the Welsh game at home was the one. They [Ireland] didn't go at it. We didn't go at it really until Seamus went off injured,' said Bonner. 

'We need to get Seamus back to where he was before his injury. What a great player, he is.

'But they still have a chance. Martin [O'Neill] and Roy (Keane) have work to do to get them motivated to get the results.'