Depleted Ireland arrive Stateside

Martin O’Neill accepts the Irish squad which flew into New York last night is a depleted one and, should any more players fall victim to injury or illness, he is prepared to call up reinforcements.

When Robbie Keane joins up with his colleagues in the Big Apple, it will bring the panel up to 21 — and it could become 22 if Jon Walters, who had to be put on a drip in hospital on Tuesday, recovers from an infectious virus he picked up on a family break.

“He’s feeling much, much better,” said O’Neill. “I think he’s passed it on to his daughter and I think the doctor said there’s some sort of incubation period. But he’s desperate to come out so there’s a decent chance he’ll join us.