Séamus Coleman, Evan Ferguson and Josh Cullen all injury doubts for Ireland's clash with England

INJURY BLOW: Ireland's Evan Ferguson is a doubt for the upcoming double header. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Ireland have concerns over the availability of Séamus Coleman, Evan Ferguson and Josh Cullen ahead of Thursday’s squad announcement for the upcoming Uefa Nations League openers against England and Greece.

New manager Heimir Hallgrimsson admitted the knowledge of his assistants John O’Shea and Paddy McCarthy ensures it is they who’ll primarily select the panel for the pair of matches at Lansdowne Road on September 7 and 10.

Coleman, Ferguson and Cullen would not only be shoo-ins for squad inclusion but certain starters in the first game of the Icelander's tenure but the trio were absent from action over the weekend.

The Ireland and Everton captain hasn’t featured since limping off against Roma in a pre-season friendly 15 days ago.

While Sean Dyche placed the “calf nick” on the less serious side of his injury list, the full-back didn’t make the bench for either defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion or Tottenham Hotspur.

Ferguson’s status is a linked to a gradual recovery from ankle surgery. That operation last April ended his season and new Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has been careful about his actions and words around the striker still linked with a £70m transfer to either Arsenal or Manchester City before the deadline closes this season.

“Evan came back after a long injury, so we have to be very careful,” said the 32-year-old, flying high after back-to-back wins against Everton and Manchester United.

“He has started training with the team and you can already see why he's here, because he has great abilities and great skills for a striker.”

Being back on the training pitch doesn’t guarantee Brighton view a couple of internationals as part of his journey to full fitness but there are still 12 days before former Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley brings his England side to Dublin 4 for the opening assignment of his caretaker stint.

Time is definitely on the side of midfield anchor Cullen. He was a surprise absentee from Burnley’s visit to Sunderland on Saturday with what manager Scott Parker would only describe as a “knock”.

Were he to be still sidelined for this weekend’s Championship derby against Blackburn, then Cullen won’t be released for the meeting with his homeland.

“Both are minor-ish, maybe a little bit longer with Josh,” said Parker. “Hopefully we can try and get them back for Saturday’s game, but we will have to see how he comes in on Monday regarding that.

“Josh will be touch and go for Saturday. It’s only a slight issue so hopefully he can make Saturday. If not, he will be ready for after the international break.

“If he doesn’t play this Saturday, he won’t be ready for Ireland.”

Set-piece specialist Robbie Brady, restored to the starting team under the O’Shea interim stint, also wasn’t involved for Preston North End on Saturday with an unspecified injury.