Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny got some positive news today after scans revealed Jamie McGrath's hip problem appears to be short-term.
The Meath man was taken off on a stretcher against Rangers on Sunday and having used all three substitutes, the home side played out the closing minutes of the 2-1 defeat with 10 men.
McGrath (25) has made three starts for Ireland since making his debut against Andorra in June and looked sure to be a doubt for the visit of Portugal to Dublin on 11 November.
However, St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin said today: "We are pleased to say that it is not as bad as it was first feared.
"The images at the weekend when you see any player going off on a stretcher then straight away you fear the worst but the stretcher was a precaution more than anything.
"He has had his scan and it seems to have settled down a lot.
"It was a bang on the hip and there seems to be a bit of a bleed in and around the muscles around the hip and that’s what caused the pain.
"But I don’t think it will be a long-term thing, hopefully a couple of weeks and Jamie will be back in amongst things."
