IRELAND GOALKEEPER DAVID Forde is set to miss the upcoming friendly with Wales.
The Galway native, who has established himself as Ireland’s number one under Giovanni Trapattoni since Shay Given’s international retirement, picked up a knee injury in Millwall’s Championship opener against Yeovil Town on Saturday.
Forde underwent a scan yesterday and it has been revealed by the Lions this morning that the 33-year-old former Derry City stopper will have an operation on his knee later today.
With Ireland due to face Wales next Wednesday, he will sit out the trip to Cardiff and could also be ruled out of next month’s crucial World Cup double-header against Sweden and Austria.
Keiren Westwood is aiming to establish himself as first choice at Sunderland after the departure of Simon Mignolet to Liverpool and he will be hoping take advantage of this latest setback to Forde and do the same at international level.
Darren Randolph, currently third choice, started for new club Birmingham City over the weekend and is likely to deputise for Westwood.
