Liam Lawrence is likely to miss crucial qualifier
Liam Lawrence could be the latest casualty for the Republic of Ireland as they prepare for their crucial European Championship qualifier away to Slovakia.
The Portsmouth midfielder is believed to have picked up an injury to a muscle in his leg and is now likely to miss the game.
The news comes days after influential striker Kevin Doyle was ruled out of the match after he picked up a knock during the match with Russia at the Aviva Stadium.
Birmingham City midfielder Keith Fahey is likely to replace Lawrence while Shane Long who scored in the Russia tie will fill in for Doyle.
Both sides were defeated on Friday, but Slovakia’s coach Vladimir Weiss is confident that his side will win, despite Ireland’s strengths.
"The Ireland team are a great team with a great spirit, but I believe in the line-up I've chosen and I'm counting on them for tomorrow's match. We respect Ireland and I truly admire and look up to (manager)
Giovanni Trapattoni,” said Weiss
The outspoken Slovakian manager believes that his sides defeat against Armenia was a missed opportunity, but that his team will recover.
“What we gained against Russia we lost against Armenia," said Weiss.
"That game was a loss, but before that we won five matches in qualification in a row so I don't believe tomorrow we are going to lose because we have never lost two qualifiers in a row,” added the Slovakian
manager.
Slovakia have injury concerns of their own and they will be missing Robert Vittek up front, while Martin Skrtel is suspended.
However, Weiss is confident that his team will cope better with the loss of their players then the Republic of Ireland.
The Slovakian manager said, "I believe one team is going to lose and I believe it's not going to be us."
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