Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed that Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy will both miss Wednesday night's Aviva Stadium friendly against Oman.
The Everton pair will have to sit out Robbie Keane's international swansong, but they could still come into contention for next Monday's opening World Cup qualifier against Serbia.
McCarthy had emerged as a doubt last week due to a groin problem
There was also a positive update on the fitness of John O'Shea, who trained with his Sunderland clubmates today and will fly into tomorrow ahead of the trip to Belgrade.
Meanwhile, Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers has been drafted into the Ireland squad for the two upcoming matches.
Having trained with the senior squad in March, he has now been called up to replace David Forde, who will remain with Portsmouth as looks to keep his place in the first eleven at his club.
