Chiedozie Ogbene was emphatically ruled out of the Netherlands clash at the pre-match press conference, and while it is an obvious blow to Ireland's chances, the manager must have known that he had little chance of playing in Amsterdam.
"Hasn’t trained, hasn’t put his foot in a boot properly," said Stephen Kenny, when confirming his absence on the eve of the game; no doubt, the manager has been plotting a gameplan that has not included the energetic and exciting Luton Town frontman.
Evan Ferguson, on the other hand, was perhaps more concerning to the manager as he was another on the going-for-a-scan list at the start of the week, alongside Jamie McGrath, Ogbene and Will Smallbone, who has also been ruled out.
But the manager could breathe a sigh of relief as he confirmed that the young Brighton striker was available to play against the Dutch, who are looking for a victory to confirm their place at Euro 2024.
The teenage attacker missed that vital game against Ronald Koeman’s side at the Aviva Stadium, and while he will bring the expectation that is growing with almost every game, the manager, once again, urged caution about putting too much pressure on Ferguson to perform.
"It’s important not to expect too much," said Kenny, when asked about the growing reputation of the young striker.
"We’ve to be cognisant of his age. He’s made the breakthrough and played international football at 18. He’s just turned 19. He’s got an all-round game and a few goals already for Ireland.
"He was in this stadium last week of course (playing for Brighton against Ajax).
"He’s been very positive this week, very positive. He could easily have pulled out of the squad or opted to pull out having not been available for his club last week.
"He’s here, determined to do well and deserves a lot of credit for that. We’re looking forward to it. There’ll be no pressure on him tomorrow. We want him to enjoy his football and show his quality."
The manager was asked whether he had to change his gameplan in Ogbene’s absence, alongside the others who have already been ruled out, including Festy Ebosele, who has been impressing in the Italian top flight this season, playing regularly for Udinese.
Adam Idah will probably be asked to bring the pace and power up front in Ogbene’s absence, after the two strikers caused the Dutch endless problems in the Dublin game in September.
"It doesn't alter our gameplan just the characteristics within that, it doesn't really mean that tactically it's different, we just have players with different strengths," said Kenny. "It doesn't mean that players have similar characteristics. Chiedozie is unique.
"I think this has been a good window for Festy, coming into it I would have thought there would have been opportunities in this window for him for sure off the back of his good performances for Udinese.
"He knew that coming in, but he was just unfortunate, he hasn't trained all week, he was in hoping to get himself right, it was an adductor injury. He was struggling at club level with it last week, but he played at the weekend anyway, he's inflamed it again and he was struggling with it, we were hoping it would ease and he'd be ok but it wasn't the case."
Looking ahead to the game, the manager admitted that despite his hopes and ambitions to secure that "famous away win", he fully expects the game to be a very tough encounter against an excellent side.
"It's a big challenge," said Kenny. "Holland showed their quality when they beat Greece 3-0 here. They were 3-0 up at half-time against Greece and beat them very convincingly, but that's what they're capable of and we're well aware of that.
"But at the same time, it was a very narrow game in Dublin, a very, very tight game overall and we didn't concede many chances in the game, believe it or not, not too many.
"In possession, we were absolutely excellent as well for large parts of the game, so we've got to play really well, exceptionally well tomorrow night to get a result, but we're happy with the team that we have.
"Okay, Chiedozie is missing, who gives us a cutting edge, but regardless, I'm pleased with the team that we have tomorrow, very pleased and we're looking to put in a very, very strong performance and that's what we must strive to do."
Alan Browne joined the manager for the pre-match press conference, which can often be read that the player will be captaining the side for the subsequent game.
Kenny would neither confirm nor deny, but Browne’s presence certainly suggests that he will be in the starting eleven on Saturday night, most likely marshalling the centre of midfield alongside Josh Cullen.
And the manager was quick to sing the praises of Browne who has featured regularly throughout Kenny’s three-year tenure.
"He [Browne] has shown his quality this year with his club. Preston are fourth in the league and he's been their best player, and he's been their captain, and their leader, and he's had a tremendous season to date. I suppose in my time, it's been tough for him because he's had to play in a lot of different positions.
"Even for some of the best players, it's hard to score goals at international level but he's scored against good teams - Serbia away, Belgium, Scotland, Norway - and he's not a forward. So he's come up with those goals from either midfield or wing-back and we need that, we need goals from different areas.
"He had a good game against Holland in the previous game and he'll be looking to make his mark tomorrow night.
"Alan is captaincy material. I'm sure that will happen in the future."
As for Browne, the attack-minded midfielder said that Ireland were planning to spoil the party for the locals on Saturday night by grabbing an unlikely result, which will prolong their qualification until Tuesday night, where they will no doubt, get the three points needed as they take on Gibraltar in their final outing.
"It's not so much about spoiling their party, but we want to come here and win," said Browne. "The lads will be aware that we can play with a bit of freedom, it's a bit of a free hit for us – which is obviously disappointing to say as a player, but that's the way it is.
"We want to win the game and spoil their party to an extent, but it's not a vendetta against them, it's just as a professional you want to win every game that you play in, and especially at the highest level against one of the best teams in the world, you want to go out and beat them.
"It would mean an awful lot for us to get that result, but we know it's going to be difficult and really tough, so we'll see what happens on the night."
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
