Millwall's Richard Sadlier has been forced to admit defeat in his battle to win a place in Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea this summer. Sadlier has been told he needs surgery on a hip injury after a steroid injection failed to cure the problem.
"I'm not looking good and I need an operation to repair my hip. It's definitely the end of my World Cup hopes so the timing couldn't possibly be any worse. My chances were slim anyway but obviously it would have been a dream to go," said the 22-year-old.
Sadlier made his debut for the Republic in last month's friendly against Russia at Lansdowne Road.
Filed by Tom Grealis
