Ireland have been dealt a hammer-blow on the eve of their Euro qualifying clash with the Netherlands in Amsterdam as Chiedozie Ogbene has been ruled out through injury.
The Luton Town forward has been one of Ireland's most influential and dangerous players throughout Stephen Kenny's tenure as Ireland manager, and caused the Dutch defence serious problems in the reverse game in Dublin.
But the manager confirmed that he will be missing from the matchday squad on Saturday night as Ireland's disappointing campaign comes to a conclusion.
The manager revealed that Ogbene has been carrying two injuries, struggling with an ankle injury as well as a tight hamstring picked up two weeks' ago.
Four players checked into the international camp needing scans, and while Will Smallbone has already left the squad, Ogbene is now another who will not feature against the Dutch. Festy Ebosele was further added to that list and he did not travel with the squad.
"Unfortunately, Chiedozie Ogbene is out," said Kenny, speaking at the pre-match press conference.
"An ankle injury has ruled him out, he hasn't been able to train this week, he hasn’t trained at all, he hasn’t been able to put his foot in a boot properly.
"He had a tight hamstring that forced him to come off late against Liverpool. He played against Manchester United last week, but he didn’t feel that he could sprint fully and has been anxious about that as well."
And Kenny lamented Ogbene's absence, stressing the importance of the player throughout the campaign.
"Chiedozie has been brilliant, he has been excellent," said Kenny. "He has been a shining light for us, but regardless it is an opportunity for other players and that is the way we certainly have to view it."
On a brighter note, Evan Ferguson and Jamie McGrath have both been passed fit to feature against Ronald Koeman's side, as both were on the injury list earlier in the week.
The Dutch come into the game knowing that a victory will secure their spot at next summer's tournament, and while Koeman admitted that he was surprised with the Irish all-out attacking approach in the first game, Kenny would not reveal how he was planning to set his side out tomorrow night.
"It is certainly an option," said Kenny, when asked would he replicate his tactics for this clash, before changing the subject, just focusing on the occasion of playing a European superpower on their home patch.
"Listen it's a great game coming to Amsterdam to play Holland. We should really look forward to it. It’s a long time since Ireland played here, it’s over 20 years since Ireland have been here playing Holland in a competitive fixture so it is one that the players should really relish, a great opportunity to play against one of the best sides in Europe.
"They are playing to win to go to the Euros so there is big motivation for the Dutch players to do it in their own city in front of their own fans. Alternatively, we have fantastic travelling support. We had great support against Gibraltar travelling in Portugal, and then again terrific away support travelling tomorrow night. It will be a brilliant atmosphere in a game that we can look forward to."
But Kenny did offer some insight as he wants his players to finish off the year with strong performances against the Dutch and again in Dublin on Tuesday night against New Zealand.
"For us it's about these two games, Holland tomorrow night and New Zealand on Tuesday," said Kenny.
"We want to finish the year strongly, it's a fantastic game against Holland. All the great Irish teams of the past...it's been elusive, the number of big away victories in that period.
"Obviously there have been victories in tournaments but in terms of qualifiers, beating the major countries has proved elusive, even for the best teams. For us it's a massive challenge to play Holland, on the night they can qualify, in Amsterdam. It's a huge, huge challenge and one we must embrace, and be positive about. The players are well prepared for the task ahead."
Kenny was also asked his opinion on the latest controversy within the FAI in relation to chief executive Jonathan Hill's payments for holidays not taken and expenses related to commuting from England.
"First of all I am not sure of the exact details of the situation, but as Jonathan has said, all money has been paid back in relation to whatever tax issue it was," said Kenny.
"Overall, I feel Jonathan is someone who looks like he is a very capable CEO, he has had to come in at difficult times to manage the organisation. He has assembled a whole new Senior Leadership Team and it is very professional and very driven.
"I don't know every detail as I'm not party to the discussions, I am not involved in those discussions. All I can say is he has been quite professional overall, and people are very clear on their roles.
"They changed a lot of the departments and there is clear demarcation, I can see clearly defined roles for the various departments. He has been very supportive of the football side of it, at all levels. I am not sure of all the details so I can't comment on everything. That's how I would view it."
Watch the Netherlands v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player this Saturday from 7pm, follow a live blog on www.rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on RTÉ 2fm
