Coleman, Duffy and Idah ruled out as Doherty returns
Captain Seamus Coleman has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League fixtures with Finland and England.
Norwich City defender Shane Duffy and Celtic forward Adam Idah have also withdrawn from Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad.
Wolves’ Matt Doherty has been recalled as cover while Everton’s Jake O’Brien and Southampton’s Ryan Manning are also drafted in.
The Republic host Finland on Thursday and take on England at Wembley in their final Nations League fixture on Sunday, 17 November.
Coleman sustained a foot injury while playing for the Republic of Ireland in September’s Nations League opener with England in Dublin.
The 36-year-old returned to the Everton bench in the middle of October but has not featured for Sean Dyche’s side.
Having initially been called into the Irish squad, he has now been replaced by Doherty, who has been out of favour under new manager Hallgrimsson.
Southampton’s Manning is another full-back option while Everton centre back O’Brien has been called in as cover for Duffy.
The Irish are third behind Greece and England in League B Group 2 after four matches, with their sole victory coming away to bottom side Finland.
Doherty conversation ‘straightforward’
“The boss would have spoken to Matt and it was straightforward,” said O’Shea of Doherty’s call-up on Monday.
“In terms of that experience that’s needed around the group, he’s one of the elder statesmen as well and it’s important to have that experience of lads who have been around the group for a long time.
“It’s getting the balance right and trying the newer players in different positions, getting the balance of that right over the next few games and planning going forward.”
Norwich defender Duffy had been recalled after making only one appearance for the Irish team over the previous 12 months, while Robbie Brady is absent with an ankle injury.
“Shane was back in and loses out unfortunately, so there’s three really experienced players, and you’re coming into two really important games, Finland in particular which we know we have to get the right result in that game and then we can focus on England.
“Shane got back into the Norwich team, had a couple of injuries, and then got back in and was playing really well, and then unfortunately he just picked up that little issue that will keep him out of this camp.”
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O’Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolves), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Callum O’Dowda (Cardiff City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Andy Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion).
Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tom Cannon (Stoke City, on loan from Leicester City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).
