Seamus Coleman as important as Gareth Bale, says Roy Keane

Roy Keane maintains Seamus Coleman is as big a loss to the Republic of Ireland as Gareth Bale is to Wales.

The Real Madrid forward has been ruled out of Wales' World Cup Qualifiers against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland with a calf injury.

But Keane was quick to point out that men in green have their own injury worries with their captain Coleman still out after his horrific leg break against Wales last March and Jonathan Walters missing with a knee injury.

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"He is obviously an important player for them but we are missing Seamus Coleman and Jon Walters," Keane said. "They are as important to us as Bale is to Wales so that is life."

Before Ireland travel to Wales on Monday, they host Moldova on Friday night, with both matches live on Sky Sports.

Robbie Brady and James McClean are both suspended for the first leg of the double-header.

In addition, James McCarthy, who is yet to play a minute of competitive football for Everton this season, is working his way from a knee injury, while Harry Arter, Shane Long, David McGoldrick, Jonathan Hayes and Eunan O'Kane all sat out training on Monday.

So Keane rejected the suggestion that the Irish players would be buoyed by Bale's absence.

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Keane said: "I have not really discussed it with them. But as I said, it is part of the game. We are missing Seamus Coleman and he is as big a loss to us as Bale is to Wales.

"We have had our own injury problems and that is part of the game. It is how you deal with it.

"We lost (Jeff) Hendrick recently. Jon Walters has been brilliant for us. He is now missing."

The Republic of Ireland currently sit third in Group D, one point behind Wales - who face Georgia on Friday - and five points behind leaders Serbia.