James McCarthy and Stephen Ward add to Martin O’Neill’s injury list

Martin O’Neill has lost another two of his probable starting team for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Austria after injury prevented James McCarthy and Stephen Ward making the final 28-man squad last night.

First-choice striker Shane Long was already ruled out of last week’s provisional squad with an ankle injury but the withdrawal of another pair, albeit unsurprising given their recent lay-offs, limits the Derryman’s options for a pivotal fixture.

Also ruled out through injury are Cyrus Christie and Stephen Quinn, potential replacements for Ward and McCarthy respectively, but John O’Shea is included despite his ongoing hamstring problems.