Martin O’Neill has suffered a blow, ahead of Ireland’s Euro qualifier away to Scotland tomorrow.
Both James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan will miss the game through injury.
The FAI tweeted today to say both of the players will go back to their clubs for treatment.
McCarthy had been a doubt, after suffering a hamstring injury playing for Everton last weekend.
He hadn’t trained all this week as a result.
Whelan was also a major worry, having not played since fracturing his leg against Germany last month.
The Dubliner had been ruled out of the clash earlier this week because of that injury, before joining the squad in a bid to prove his fitness.
But he’s had to give up on his hopes of getting fit in time and instead will return to his club, Stoke City, for treatment.
It means O’Neill will need to look elsewhere for a midfield combination, with Darron Gibson and Jeff Hendrick now potential starters tomorrow evening in the middle of the park.
Ireland face Scotland tomorrow evening at Parkhead in Glasgow, with kick off at 7.45pm.
The Boys in Green are second in Group D on 7 points, just behind Poland on goal difference.
Scotland are fourth on 4 points.
