It doesn't seem long since we had the night of our lives against Italy, but the World Cup qualifiers are rolling around once more. After Robbie Keane gets his richly-deserved send off against Oman, focus will turn to the pressing matter of World Cup qualifying in Belgrade.
Ahead of the opening trip to Serbia, Ireland have been handed a double injury boost with the news that Jeff Hendrick and Seamus Coleman are progressing well upon their return from injury, and Martin O'Neill is said to be optimistic that both will be fit for Monday's game in Belgrade.
Seamus Coleman has yet to play this season due to a foot injury, with Ronald Koeman's prognosis last week that Coleman would miss another fortnight at least putting him in danger of missing the Serbia game. Coleman has trained alone at Abbotstown this afternoon, however, and while he will play no part against Oman, he may be ready to assume the captaincy against Serbia.
Jeff Hendrick - who today completed a Premier League move to Hull - has been struggling to shake off a hamstring injury, but he trained with the squad this afternoon, meaning that he should be fine for Serbia, and may yet play a part against Oman.
It will be important for Ireland to hit the ground running against Serbia, as there is much less room for error in this campaign than there was for Euro 2016. The top side of each group are guaranteed qualification, with eight of the nine second-placed sides going into the playoffs. with there being a far smaller margin for error in this campaign than the one for Euro 2016.
[Independent.ie]
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