Ireland out of Czech clash

Midfielder to miss crucial qualifier

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 9th September 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ireland out of Czech clash

Ireland: Forced out

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Stephen Ireland has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for next week's Euro 2008 qualifier with Czech Republic.

The Manchester City midfielder has returned back to Ireland following the death of his grandmother.

The news is a blow to Steve Staunton as he prepares for the must-win game in Prague and he has still to decide whether or not to call-up a replacement.

Staunton is also sweating over the fitness of Richard Dunne and Kevin Doyle after they picked up knocks against Slovakia.

A decision is still to be made on Liverpool defender Steve Finnan's participation against the Czechs after he missed the draw in Bratislava because of a knee injury.