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Jeff Hendrick unmoved by De Bruyne and Hazard doubts

Jeff Hendrick faces the media
Jeff Hendrick faces the media

Jeff Hendrick insists that the injury concerns hanging over Belgium stars Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard will have little impact on Ireland's approach to Saturday's Euro 2016 Group E clash.

The attacking pair failed to perform to their usual standards in the Red Devils'2-0 defeat by Italy on Monday evening, with Manchester City's De Bruyne delivering an especially below-par display.

It has been reported that neither player trained today after picking up knocks, but when asked if doubts over their participation against Ireland would affect the thinking within the squad, Hendrick replied: "No, I don't think so.

"When you look at the squad that they have, they have many good players who can come in and out of the side.

"That's only two of them - they might be two of their better players but they still have other players who can come in and do a good job.

"So we have to focus on our gameplan and make sure we're right."