Roy Keane has backed Harry Arter to bounce back from his Euro 2016 disappointment to enjoy a bright international career with the Republic of Ireland.
The 26-year-old Bournemouth midfielder may never know how close he came to making Martin O'Neill's 23-man squad for the finals after suffering a thigh injury on the eve of Tuesday night's last warm-up game against Belarus.
That was enough to rule him out of contention, with the Republic already worrying about the fitness of skipper Robbie Keane and midfielder James McCarthy.
But assistant manager Keane is confident Arter will be back.
"There are only so many players you can bring with you who are carrying knocks - and I think Harry's is more than a knock,” he said.
"It's disappointing, but Harry is a young player and it's only a matter of time that he is back in the group for the next campaign.
"Anyone here who has played sport, injuries are part and parcel of the game and we had no control over that.
"I've seen him play at club level and he is a good player who can deal with the ball, which really helps in international football because you do get a bit of time. But he'll be back. It's not the end of the world for him."
