Shane Long ruled out of Ireland’s win or bust World Cup qualifier in Wales with injury
IRELAND have been dealt a hammer blow as Shane Long has been ruled out of their massive World Cup qualifier against Wales in Cardiff due to a hip injury.
Long missed three key chances in Friday’s 2-0 victory over Moldova while his strike partner Daryl Murphy bagged a brace.
With Ireland likely to play with one up front in Cardiff, Martin O’Neill had a big decision to make between Long and Murphy until the latest injury news.
When asked if Murphy was now ahead of Long in the pecking order, O’Neill said: “Who knows?
“I will really have to think about it and replay the game again.”
With Murphy unlikely to play for the full 90 minutes and Jon Walters also injured, it’s probable one of O’Neill’s new strikers will see some action.
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Former Cork City star Sean Maguire was handed his international debut when he came on to replace long in the last 10 minutes on Friday, while Aston Villa striker Scott Hogan is also in O’Neill’s squad having declared for Ireland recently.
Speaking ahead of the game O’Neill said “I genuinely feel, if you look over the last three years of competitive football, in big, big matches we have taken a lot of risks.
“We changed the side to give us energy for a big game in Lille against Italy at the European Championships.
“Players like Shane Duffy came in and had a big game that night.
“We had a bit of energy and we did great.
“Before that, in Gelsenkirchen, we ended up with David Meyler playing right-back against Germany, the world champions, in their back yard and we came out of that game with a draw.
“We have done a lot of risking and we may have to do it again on Monday.
“The lads are in good fettle and they are ready for this game.”
With Scotland drawing 2-2 in Slovenia, Ireland will seal a play-off place with a victory over Chris Coleman’s Welsh side.
And automatic qualification for next summer’s World Cup in Russia is not yet out of the question either.
Serbia lead the group on 18 points but if Georgia can manage a shock win in Belgrade then a win in Cardiff would see Martin O’Neill’s men finish in first place on 19 points.
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