Soccer: Duff could miss World Cup play-off

Damien Duff could miss the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off after suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

Duff had been pencilled in by Blackburn to make his comeback against Leicester at Ewood Park on Monday.

However the left winger has suffered a setback in training and his return has been put back a week.

According to Rovers’ timetable, Duff should still be available for the Republic’s two games against either Iran or the United Arab Emirates next month.

However assistant manager Tony Parkes claimed Duff would not be travelling with the Irish if he is not fit to face Southampton next Saturday.

‘‘He’s not ready for the Leicester game,’’ said Parkes. ‘‘He’s still got a slight hamstring problem and we don’t want to take any chances with him.

‘‘We’re now looking towards next weekend and he’s not too far away to be honest.

‘‘He has the international games with Ireland, but if he’s not fit for next weekend then obviously he will not be playing in the Ireland games.’’

The Republic face the winners of Iran’s play-off with the UAE in the first leg at Lansdowne Road on November 10, with the return five days later, and Duff is optimistic that he will be fit.

The 22-year-old claims the setback should only delay his return by a few days.

‘‘I pulled up in training with a twinge and when I had a scan done yesterday it showed a bit of fluid on the injury,’’ he said. ‘‘That has put me back a few days and I just hope it is not too long.

‘‘I’m desperate to play in the play-offs as they are the biggest games for the country in years.

‘‘It’s a couple of weeks until the first leg play-off so I hope I will be ready.’’

Meanwhile, Blackburn claim it is down to West Brom to make the next move in the wrangling over Neil Clement’s proposed transfer to Ewood Park.

West Brom rejected Blackburn’s offer, reported to be worth £2million, and insist the former Chelsea defender is not for sale.

Parkes said: ‘‘Whatever Blackburn have offered, they have turned the offer down.

‘‘There’s a not for sale sign up and so we have to wait for West Brom to make the next move.’’