Post by Taxigirl on Oct 10, 2005 8:40:41 GMT
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By Peter ORourke
Republic of Ireland have suffered a major blow with the news that Damien Duff has been ruled out of the make-or-break qualifier with Switzerland.
The Chelsea winger is missing with the knee injury he picked up in Saturday's win over Cyprus.
Duff was forced to limp off in Nicosia and scans have shown that the flying winger has suffered cartilage damage.
Ireland boss Brian Kerr revealed that Duff was out of the Switzerland game and that he had returned to Chelsea for treatment on the problem.
"Damien Duff had a scan this evening on the knee injury which forced him to retire from last night's match against Cyprus," said Kerr.
"The scan revealed knee cartilage damage which will certainly keep him out of Wednesday's game against Switzerland. He has returned to Chelsea for further assessment and treatment."
Kerr is also sweating over the fitness of Kevin Kilbane after he picked up a dead leg against Cyprus.
Better news on the injury front is that scans on Stephen Carr's knee injury have shown no major problem and he is expected to be fit to face Switzerland, while Gary Breen has also returned to the squad after injury forced him to miss the trip to Cyprus.
Clinton Morrison and Andy Reid are also back in the fold after suspension and although Ireland will be without Duff, Kerr remains optimistic they can beat Switzerland and keep alive their hopes of qualification.
"Following last night's results the situation is very clear, we need to win on Wednesday and if we win there is no doubt we will at least reach the play offs," added Kerr.
"I am confident that if the players play to their full potential and with the kind of support we have had in recent games and the full backing of all those with the interest of Irish football at heart we can achieve the required result".
By Peter ORourke
Republic of Ireland have suffered a major blow with the news that Damien Duff has been ruled out of the make-or-break qualifier with Switzerland.
The Chelsea winger is missing with the knee injury he picked up in Saturday's win over Cyprus.
Duff was forced to limp off in Nicosia and scans have shown that the flying winger has suffered cartilage damage.
Ireland boss Brian Kerr revealed that Duff was out of the Switzerland game and that he had returned to Chelsea for treatment on the problem.
"Damien Duff had a scan this evening on the knee injury which forced him to retire from last night's match against Cyprus," said Kerr.
"The scan revealed knee cartilage damage which will certainly keep him out of Wednesday's game against Switzerland. He has returned to Chelsea for further assessment and treatment."
Kerr is also sweating over the fitness of Kevin Kilbane after he picked up a dead leg against Cyprus.
Better news on the injury front is that scans on Stephen Carr's knee injury have shown no major problem and he is expected to be fit to face Switzerland, while Gary Breen has also returned to the squad after injury forced him to miss the trip to Cyprus.
Clinton Morrison and Andy Reid are also back in the fold after suspension and although Ireland will be without Duff, Kerr remains optimistic they can beat Switzerland and keep alive their hopes of qualification.
"Following last night's results the situation is very clear, we need to win on Wednesday and if we win there is no doubt we will at least reach the play offs," added Kerr.
"I am confident that if the players play to their full potential and with the kind of support we have had in recent games and the full backing of all those with the interest of Irish football at heart we can achieve the required result".