MARTIN O’NEILL’S PREPARATIONS for Scotland have been hit by a double injury blow in midfield.
Glenn Whelan faces up to six weeks on the sideline with a fractured leg while Wes Hoolahan is also a massive doubt for the trip to Glasgow.
Hoolahan damaged ankle ligaments in Norwich’s defeat against Fulham and went to see a specialist on Wednesday.
Canaries boss Neil Adams did not give a specific timeframe for his return but said he expects the playmaker to be out for “a number of weeks.”
Even the most optimistic prognosis would leave Hoolahan facing a race to be fit for Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifier on 14 November.
Adams said: ”It’s a shame. Obviously you keep your fingers crossed but it’s going to be number of weeks before he’s back with us unfortunately.”
Whelan’s fracture occurred during Ireland’s 1-1 draw against Germany earlier this month, Stoke City manager Mark Hughes said.
“There is a slight fracture, but he hasn’t been put into a plaster cast. We feel that he can come back sooner by avoiding that.
“It is a blow for him and it is a blow for us because we are likely to be without him for four to six weeks.
“It is disappointing but thankfully we have options in there.”
A fractured leg? If any remembers correctly, Glenn Whelan was in a serious amount of pain. He got up, wobbled around and tried shaking it off. The ball came up the field and he put in a tackle which dispossessed a German attacker before going off. Slate him for not being a great player but please admire the man for his heart. In this day and age, soccer players like that are few and far between!
Most people who slate Glenn Whelan are absolute morons in fairness.
James McCarthy you’re up!
McCarthy has more or less been first choice now since after the euros. He has olayed in every big game we had last campaign and without that injury, there just isn’t anyway he wouldn’t have played.
I would consider Glenn Whelan’s unavailability to be a massive plus… Surprised Schmidt didn’t name him in his squad, considering he never passes the ball forward.
More of a single injury blow.
While I wish them both a speedy recovery, at least whelan won’t play and we won’t have to listen to the moans when hoolahan isn’t picked
This is a bit of a blow. Hopefull Sheamy and McCarthy are fit. We’ll need them. If Gibson is fully fit by that stage he can take Whelan’s place, other than that I’d love to see Meyler or Hendrick given a chance.
Meyler hasn’t played central mid for us for a while and Jeff looked very good when he came on against the Germans.
Who will Dunphy praise now. Who will Dunphy slate now.
Glen Whelan injured – OH NO – whatever shall we do?