Newcastle striker Daryl Murphy out of Ireland's World Cup qualifier with Wales as injury crisis deepens

  • Daryl Murphy will miss the World Cup qualifying Group D clash with Wales
  • The Newcastle striker had a calf scan on Monday that confirmed his absence
  • Martin O'Neill will be missing five key players for Friday's clash at the Aviva 

Striker Daryl Murphy is out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Wales after Martin O'Neill's problems took a further turn for the worse.

The Newcastle frontman underwent a scan on a calf problem on Monday and has now been ruled out of Friday night's Group D clash at the Aviva Stadium.


He joins central defenders Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark and midfielders Wes Hoolahan and Harry Arter on the sidelines, with Robbie Brady suspended for the game.

Striker Daryl Murphy is out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Wales

Striker Daryl Murphy is out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Wales

Martin O'Neill's injury crisis took a further turn for the worse with a number of key players out

Martin O'Neill's injury crisis took a further turn for the worse with a number of key players out

Everton midfielder James McCarthy has also had a scan on his hamstring problem and although he is making good progress, he remains a doubt.

Seamus Coleman, Jonny Hayes and Shane Long all sat out training at Abbotstown on Tuesday morning, but all as a precaution.

With a number of senior players missing O'Neill admits that he will have blood some of his squad's younger players but says that the familiarity with the Welsh players could play in their favour.

Everton's James McCarthy has also had a scan on his hamstring problem and is a doubt

Everton's James McCarthy has also had a scan on his hamstring problem and is a doubt

'Perhaps throwing someone in at the deep end might not be as severe considering they should know the players a wee bit better than maybe going to a game in Belgrade or something like that,' said O'Neill.

'The two games we played against Scotland, if you can draw some kind of parallel, were like club affairs. Particularly the game in Glasgow was like that, it was a raw battle. 

'Wales have a pretty decent pedigree, they went close in the Euros, and even though they have had three games at home and one away (with one win and three draws), they will feel that they are well and truly in this group.'