The Ireland squad has been hit with some concerning injury news ahead of the October international window, with Callum O’Dowda and Sammie Szmodics forced to withdraw due to injury. Dundee United player Will Ferry has received his first Irish call-up after being drafted in as extra cover.

That pair both could have been in line to start Saturday’s game against Portugal. O’Dowda would have been in the frame to start at left back, while Smodics has been a favourite of Heimir Hallgrimsson’s when fit and available.

Unfortunately, the Ipswich Town man has largely found himself in and out of Ireland squads in recent times.

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Ireland Fans Vent Frustrations After Sammie Szmodics Withdrawal

Sammie Szmodics featured in every Ireland game in 2024, having made a long overdue international debut in March of that year. The player had pulled out of a couple of previous squads before that point, as well as being overlooked by Stephen Kenny on a few occasions.

While 2024 was a big breakthrough year for Sammie Szmodics, 2025 has been a more frustrating one.

The forward was not available for the UEFA League playoff against Bulgaria in March, having struggled with an ankle injury in the second half of last season. He would go on to feature in Ipswich Town’s final league game of the campaign, only to then pull out of the Ireland squad for the June games against Senegal and Luxembourg.

The September window saw Szmodics start against Hungary, but he did not travel to Armenia due to injury. He would then feature for Ipswich three days after the Armenian game, coming off the bench as they defeated Sheffield United.

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The 30-year old has featured in all of the club’s fixtures since then, including playing 86 minutes in the win over Norwich City on Sunday.

After being named in Hallgrimsson’s squad last Thursday, unfortunately he is not fit enough to play a part in Ireland’s games over the next week. The Irish boss will speak to the media later this week where it is expected that he will give an update on the severity of the player’s injury.

Quite a few Ireland fans have voiced their frustration with Szmodics’ availability since his withdrawal from the squad in the past 24 hours.

Heimar needs to get questioned about Sammie Szmodics commitment to Ireland. Always available for Ipswich, pulled out of the last squad and played a few days later and played 84 mins yesterday and suddenly injured and unavailable again today.

— Barry Murphy (@bazlastmanback) October 6, 2025

When is Smodicks actually ever fit for Ireland? I get we’re short on quality but the first criteria is actually turn up @RTENews https://t.co/cpWrB00R6j

— Andrew (@AndrewMcDublin) October 6, 2025

Szmodics will be starting against Middlesbrough in 10 days time so

— Adam🇮🇪 (@Walshyyup) October 6, 2025

Szmodics will be in the Ipswich squad for their next game Guaranteed https://t.co/YhXmy4D9Va

— Luke 🇮🇪 (@LukeUTD_) October 6, 2025

Not to be dramatic but I’d be fine with Szmodics not playing again in this campaign, nowhere near good enough to be running the Saka gimmick.

— Stereotypical Bohs Man 🇮🇪 (@JohnnyLoganBohs) October 6, 2025

While Szmodics has another timely injury. https://t.co/LbsEAd3C3e

— Kieran (@TheIrishKieran) October 6, 2025

Ireland will have to do without Sammie Szmodics for the upcoming games, with Heimir Hallgrimsson under sizeable pressure coming into this window.

The Icelander will hope that he still has sufficient quality in the squad to get the job done over the coming days.

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