Carla Ward: It is difficult to replace Denise. I would put her in any team

Denise O'Sullivan will miss Ireland's clash with the Netherlands of Saturday after a knee issue flared up. However, there are no concerns about Katie McCabe's fitness

DIFFERENCE MAKER: Carla Ward: "I say it all the time that Denise is world class, she really is, and she makes a huge difference for what we do." Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Ireland will be able to cope without injured midfield dynamo Denise O’Sullivan for Saturday’s visit to Netherlands in Utrecht, according to manager Carla Ward.

The Corkwoman didn’t travel with the squad after the knee injury she’s been carrying lately flared up early in Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to France.

Ward insisted that their decision to allow 129-time capped O’Sullivan play on didn’t compound the damage currently under assessment at Liverpool.

There are no fears over being recovered in time for next month’s window.

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“I say it all the time that Denise is world class, she really is, and she makes a huge difference for what we do,” Ward said ahead of meeting the team ranked 11 in Fifa’s standings.

“It is difficult to replace Denise. I would place Denise in any team around the world, so she is difficult to replace.

“Naturally, that is a big loss. Everyone knows what we want to do and we will be prepared for that.

“We have a tight knit squad, a prepared squad, who look after each other, whoever goes in there will know what to be expected.” 

Megan Connolly lamented the loss of her fellow Leesider after the duo performed so admirably in the engine-room against the French.

“Denise can be two people on the pitch,” said the Lazio midfielder.

“She would make any team around the world better. She is a big loss but that is why we have a big squad and everyone is ready to step up and fill in the gap.” 

Aston Villa’s Anna Patten could be redeployed into midfield from defence or Ruesha Littlejohn comes straight in as a direct replacement.

There are no concerns over Katie McCabe’s fitness but Tuesday’s booking means she’s a yellow card away from being suspended.

Ireland are guaranteed a playoff for next year’s World Cup in Brazil regardless of how they fare in this top tier group that also features Poland.

The two matches against the latter next month will go a long way to determining Ireland’s final position in the pool, which in turns influences the difficulty of their playoff journey.