Brady and Clark ruled out of friendlies

Martin O’Neill will be without Robbie Brady and Ciarán Clark for his first games in charge as Ireland manager.

Hull City winger Brady has withdrawn from the squad for the games against Latvia and Poland as he is still feeling his way back following hernia surgery, and missed his side’s 4-1 defeat at Southampton on Saturday. Hull boss Steve Bruce now wants Brady to focus on getting fit for their next game against Crystal Palace on November 23.

Aston Villa’s Clark – who was watched by Roy Keane in the latter’s first outing as Ireland assistant manager on Saturday – has also withdrawn with a foot tendon problem.