Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has conceded that Rory Delap will be unfit for Ireland's opening World Cup qualifier against Cyprus on Saturday.
The Southampton midfielder joined up with the Irish squad, in the hope that the calf problem that has been troubling him would clear up fast enough to allow him to feature against Cyprus.
However Kerr now admits that Delap is definitely out of that game and has only an outside chance of making the game against Switzerland in Basle on Wednesday.
Delap's injury is a further blow for Kerr who has seen his midfield decimated by injuries and withdrawals. Roy Keane, Matt Holland and Liam Miller will all miss the game with injuries.
Elsewhere, defender Gary Breen did not train today and is still feeling the effects of Tuesday's game for Sunderland, although he is expected to be fit for Saturday. Manchester United defender John O'Shea also sat out the session in what was a precautionary measure.
Filed by Rob Wright
