By Glenn Mason
Kevin Doyle and Marc Wilson have been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's friendly against Serbia on Wednesday.
Wolves striker Doyle has a bruised leg, and his absence will be a blow for a squad already missing experienced quartet Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff and Shay Given.
Wilson looked set to play a role in Belgrade after sorting out his differences with manager Giovanni Trapattoni earlier this year.
However, he will miss out with a virus and Damien Delaney has been called up as defensive cover for the first game after Ireland's dismal performance at Euro 2012.
The FAI have also revealed that Norwich City were contacted about the availability of Anthony Pilkington following the withdrawal of Wes Hoolahan on Friday.
However, Pilkington sustained a hamstring injury and came off after 65 minutes in a pre-season friendly yesterday and is not fit to report.
There are other injury doubts to concern Trapattoni, as Stephen Ward and Keith Tracey are struggling with knocks.
Trapattoni confirmed at training in Malahide this afternoon that both players would have scans tomorrow.
James McClean and Paul Green also missed today's session but will join up with the squad later.
Trapattoni said: "In the past few days we have had many, many other others. There are six missing players. We call in Damien Delaney and Joey O'Brien. We have Gibson and Hoolahan out.
"With Kevin Foley I ask him already, but he said he will wait … I spoke with him. I said 'remember you are again in our mind'.
"Foley can also play in midfield and right or left. In the past it was a very hard decision. We needed a defender like Paul McShane. He understands now."
The Italian said he is confident that qualification for Brazil 2014 can be achieved.
"We must continue in our path for qualification for 2014 World Cup in Brazil with the same personality and the same identity that we showed in the last campaign.
"We have in front of us again another tough group. Sure it's a tough group but the last group was tough but we achieve qualification.
"We must first recognise our limitations. Second, we will work to overcome these limitations.
"Third, we must believe ourselves in our ability with the same enthusiasm, attitude and commitment. I am sure we can achieve this in this campaign and qualify."
Trapattoni said he realises that the majority of the players are still involved in pre-season training, and their performances will no doubt be affected by that.
The former Juventus and Bayern Munich boss was widely criticised for what have been perceived as negative tactics this far in his tenure, but he hinted he is now open to a more attacking midset.
"We have to show us in the last campaign when we have important game that last two or three games we showed that we had a little bit of fear," he said.
"That is my impression. We have to think with our personality, our identity.
"We are good technically but we have no great creative players. I watched many times again the games against Italy and Croatia. I think we had a little bit of fear. We didn't take enough initiative. We have good organisation but we need more personality."
Olympic success
The manager also had words of praise for Ireland’s Olympians following their performances in London.
“I would like also to give congratulations to Katie Taylor on the Olympic gold medal. It is fantastic achievement for Ireland. We met her at the last sports awards,” Trapattoni said.
“I would like to congratulate all other Irish athletes on their achievements because when a little country achieve these results it is very, very important. I say personally congratulations.”
