Injuries hit McCathy's plans

Mick McCarthy has been hit with a rash of injuries prior to the Republic of Ireland's friendly against Finland in Helsinki on Wednesday.

No fewer than seven of his original 25-man squad have had to withdraw - Stephen Carr, Clinton Morrison, Richard Dunne, Andy O'Brien, Steve Finnan and Millwall pair Steven Reid and Richard Sadlier.

That could mean a dramatic recall to the Irish squad for Sunderland defender Phil Babb, out in the cold for the past two years.

Carr, only recently recovered after a year out following two knee operations, suffered a hamstring injury in Tottenham's draw with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Morrison missed his debut for Birmingham at Arsenal because of a groin problem while Dunne, used by Manchester City as a second-half substitute in their defeat by Leeds, has picked up a back injury.

O'Brien has been left out because of shin splints and misses Newcastle's opening game of the season at home to West Ham on Monday night.

Finnan played the full 90 minutes in Fulham's victory over Bolton but misses out with an ankle injury.

The biggest concern surrounds Reid and Sadlier. Neither played any part in their club's defeat by Gillingham on Saturday with Reid suffering from ankle ligament injuries and Sadlier an absentee because of a hip problem.

"I thought that there might be a few withdrawals, but certainly not as many as have now happened," said McCarthy.

"I am particularly concerned about Reid and Sadlier as they have long-term injuries and could miss our opening European Championship qualifying tie against Russia on September 7."

Now there could be a dramatic late call-up for Sunderland central defender Babb, back in the Premiership after his two-year spell with Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

"I will be attempting to get in touch with the player and his manager Peter Reid before the Ireland party depart for Helsinki on Monday afternoon," added McCarthy.