Defensive doubts mount for Slovakia

Slovakia boss Pavel Hapal is facing big decisions about his leaky defence for the Euro qualifier semi-final playoff against Ireland in Bratislava on Thursday night.

With first-choice goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and left-back David Hancko already missing through injury, Hapal is thought unikely to risk centre-back Denis Vavro, absent from Lazio’s 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in Rome yesterday as he continues to recover from a groin problem.