Shane Duffy has eased fears he could miss the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off games next month after being forced out of Brighton's draw with Everton due to a groin injury.
The Derry man landed awkwardly challenging for a ball with Toffees' striker Oumar Niesse and was substituted in the 73rd minute but, following the game,he was optimistic the injury wouldn't prove too serious.
Ireland will play their first leg on November 9, 10 or 11 with the return fixture three days later.
"I'm all right, a bit sore at the minute," Duffy told The Argus.
"I'll get scanned in the morning and see how it is but it feels not too bad.
"It was my groin. I was running back and I just felt it but hopefully I am not too bad.
"It was like a pop or a shot feeling but it has calmed down now.
"I've iced it and had treatment and it feels a little bit better but I'll see tomorrow."
"It's just a little pain in my groin. I probably wanted to stay on but...the manager didn't want to make it any worse so I just had to come off.
Looking ahead to tomorrow's World Cup draw, the central defender insisted that Ireland can qualify for the finals, regardless of whether they draw Italy, Croatia, Denmark or Switzerland.
"We fancy ourselves against anyone, even if it is the Italians or anyone, we'll fancy it," he told Newstalk.
"Everyone will write us off but we believe in ourselves. We believe in that group that we can beat anyone. A lot write us off before games but we always come back.
"We want to get there. Every player wants to play at the top level and the opportunity to play in an World Cup doesn't come around too often."
