Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill continues to sweat on the fitness of key striker Shane Long.
Long hasn’t played a competitive game since limping out of last month’s defeat to Poland in Warsaw with an ankle injury.
That result say Ireland finish third in Group D and secure a two-legged France 2016 play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
O’Neill was hoping that the Tipperary man would line out for his club Southampton in the English Premier League against Sunderland this weekend.
But Saints boss Ronald Koeman confirmed today that the Long wouldn’t be making the trip to Wearside on Saturday.
“Shane is still out,” said Koeman in a pre-match media conference.
“Shane was close to being back, he did some training on Wednesday with the team, but still not 100% and you need to be 100% to be involved with the squad.
“He’s not involved for the weekend.”
Ireland take on Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first leg on Friday week in Zenica with the return in Dublin the following Monday.
Long scored the winner in Ireland’s crucial Group D win over world champions Germany, which helped secure the play-off spot.
He had finally pushed his way into O’Neill’s plans past the national team’s record goal-scorer Robbie Keane.
But now doubts will hang over his fitness for those crunch Euro play-off games.
Ireland's most experienced player goalkeeper Shay Given is set to miss the Bosnia-Herzegovina game due to injury.
John O'Shea and Jonathan Walters are both suspended for the first game and will be available for the second leg.
O'Shea limped out of Sunderland's recent win over Newcastle and missed the subsequent defeat to Everton, causing O'Neill further concern.
There was good news on Thursday though when he returned to training on Thursday.
“The good news is Ola (Toivonen), Fabio (Borini), Younes (Kaboul) and John all trained,” said Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce.
“With no reaction from their first training session back in the squad they will be available for selection on Saturday which is important.”
