The Republic of Ireland will be without regular goalkeeper Darren Randolph for their opening World Cup 2022 qualifier against Serbia later this month.
Ireland manager Stephen Kenny said in an online Q&A with supporters that the West Ham netminder would not recover from a hip injury in time for the away clash on 24 March.
The 33-year-old had returned from a thigh injury to make his second Premier League appearance of the season for the Hammers just under a fortnight ago, but hurt his hip during the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.
"We have some injury problems in goal," said Kenny. "I've been speaking to Darren over the last few days and West Ham have shut him down at the moment.
"He played recently and started the game really well but the defenders had to take the kickouts in the second half (against City) and that's very unfortunate.
"He's had a kicking issue for a while. Initially a thigh injury and then a hip injury. It's caused him a lot of anguish. Darren won't be fit to be selected for the camp."
Liverpool sub-keeper Caoimhin Kelleher would probably be first in line to replace Randolph and Kenny said the Corkman should be back in training this week having missed some recent games due to an undisclosed injury.
Mark Travers has not featured for Bournemouth since being recalled one month into a loan spell at Swindon Town where he had started eight games.
"He (Kelleher) is due back training at the weekend," said Kenny. "Fingers crossed he comes through okay because he's played five games for Liverpool and he's been first-class in those games."
Kenny will announce his squad for the trip to Belgrade next week but will definitely be without Sheffield United centre-back John Egan (dislocated toe), Stoke City winger James McClean (foot) and Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy (groin) through injury.
