Ireland have been dealt another injury below with their huge FIFA World Cup play-off clash vs Czechia fast approaching.
Heimir HallgrÃmsson’s options are not what they were when Ireland strung incredible back-to-back wins over Portugal and Hungary in November to sneak into a play-off spot.
Of course, victory against Czechia in Prague will give Ireland the chance to beat either Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin with a place at the 2026 World Cup on the line.
It had already been reported that Evan Ferguson has returned to parent club Brighton from Roma for further assessment on an ongoing ankle problem.
Meanwhile, striker Adam Idah also remains on the sidelines with a hamstring issue and winger Festy Ebosele is suspended for the tie.
Chiedozie Ogbene, impressive in Budapest before pulling up with his own hamstring problem, has not been playing with loan club Sheffield United.
Ireland hit with Mikey Johnston injury blow
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Ireland are potentially lacking pace on the flanks and that issue has been exacerbated by injury to winger Mikey Johnston.
The diminutive West Brom attacker was withdrawn late in their 2-1 defeat to Oxford United in the EFL Championship on Saturday.
Caretaker manager James Morrison did not give a positive assessment of Johnston’s ankle issue, in a worrying update for the Irish camp.
It was his ankle, he just got it stuck in the ground, I think,” Morrison said after the game.
“I’ll have to assess it, but it didn’t look good.”
Asked if the issue could be long-term, he speculated: “Yeah, but probably the way the season’s going, it probably would be bad.
“When you’re down there, you get no luck, do you?”
Johnston has proven to be a useful bench option and his pace could have given the Czechia defence troubles, particularly late on in the contest.
That match will take place on Thursday, March 26 and the winner will advance to play the play-off final on March 31.
SEE ALSO:Â Czechia Potentially Hit With Massive Injury Blow Ahead Of Ireland Play-Off