Republic of Ireland will be without Paul McShane for their Euro 2012 qualifier in Armenia.
Hamstring injury sees Hull defender return to club
Republic of Ireland manager Giovani Trapattoni has been dealt another injury blow following the withdrawal of Paul McShane.
The Hull defender was missing from the Tigers' 3-1 defeat at Doncaster at the weekend but linked up with the Ireland squad to prepare for Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Armenia.
But the hamstring problem sustained in last Tuesday's Carling Cup loss at Brentford means the 24-year-old will return to his club for treatment.
The former Sunderland defender could yet return for next week's home clash with Andorra should the problem clear up, however McShane's withdrawal leaves Trapattoni with a selection headache.
Damien Duff, Keith Andrews and Keith Treacy are all sidelined through injury, leaving the Italian shorn of midfield options.
And in a further setback, Ipswich defender Darren O'Dea could be absent from the campaign's opening game after undergoing a scan on a knee injury.
It means Trapattoni will have to rejig his backline after losing McShane, who has become a mainstay of the Irish defence under his stewardship.
