Relief for O’Neill as Gibson available for Scotland tie

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed that the injury sustained by Darron Gibson is not as bad as first feared and – and Martin O’Neill will be pleased to learn – the midfielder is not now regarded as a doubt for Ireland’s match against Scotland on November 14.

Gibson was forced to withdraw from training on Wednesday afternoon after suffering a blow to his knee but the Blues boss said yesterday that the injury is nothing to worry about.

“We’re going to assess him but all it was, it was a block to a shot and he had to stop training,” said Martinez. “I don’t think it’s a big problem, I don’t think you can consider it a real injury.

“If he trains today then there is nothing to inform (the FAI) about but if he doesn’t train today then we will send him for a scan to find out more. But, no, there is nothing to worry about.”

“Darron is a very important player for us and Ireland so I hope that he can be fully fit and start playing a lot of games because it is the only way he can get his match fitness.

“It has been a long, long period he has missed and that’s been difficult for everyone.”