O’Shea set to miss Euro 2012 play-off

JOHN O’SHEA is now a huge doubt for Ireland’s Euro 2012 play-off with Estonia after limping out of Sunderland’s draw with Aston Villa on Saturday.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce fears the recurrence of the hamstring injury could see the Waterford star on the sidelines for several weeks.

The gloomy prognosis from Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, as to the recurrence of the hamstring injury that saw O’Shea trudge off forlornly shortly before the interval in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light will have left Giovanni Trapattoni troubled as he prepares for the games on November 11 and 15.

O’Shea, 30, has yet to discover the length of his likely absence, something that will become apparent with the results of scans today.

“John’s a concern because it’s the same hamstring that he did in Germany in pre-season,” Bruce said, alluding to an injury that sidelined the defender for six weeks following his summer move from Manchester United.

The Sunderland manager warned the Irish camp to expect the worst, and with thoughts perhaps turning to a potential replacement, he added: “He did it just stretching out for the ball, and it’s an injury that’s come at exactly the wrong time for us.

“He’s just started to get his feet on the floor for us here and he’ll be a big miss. I would have thought he’d be a doubt for the Ireland game. He’ll have scans in the morning (today) and we’ll go from there.”

Meanwhile Shane Long has been told not to speak to the media as he battles to return from a knee injury.

West Brom’s medical team reckon the Tipperary man will be out for up to six weeks after a horrific tackle from Alan Hutton at Aston Villa on October 22. Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has ignored the initial diagnosis, however, and included the 24-year-old striker in the squad.

The Albion forward was at the Hawthorns on Saturday but apologised, explaining he had been gagged.

“I’ve been told not to say anything,” he said.

Albion boss Roy Hodgson described the decision to call Long into Trapattoni’s squad as “optimistic” but the Londoner would never choose to antagonise the Italian as the pair have been friends for over 20-years.

“For me, his selection is fine. I just hope they won’t be too disappointed if the doctors prognosis turns out to be the correct one.”