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Rob Elliot update – Martin O’Neill expects to have 3 players back for Monday night

8 years ago
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Rob Elliot missed the Ireland’s spirited 1-1 draw away at Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday night.

Robbie Brady put the visitors ahead in the 82nd minute, only for Dzeko to equalise with five minutes remaining.

The deciding second leg takes place on Monday night in Dublin and three players are expected to be back for Ireland.

However, Martin O’Neill doesn’t appear to be expecting one of them to be Rob Elliot, as in the aftermath of Friday’s draw O’Neill said specifically he was hoping to have three outfield players back, when asked if he would have other options to call on.

The three players that Martin O’Neill was referring to, are believed to be Jon Walters and John O’Shea who are now free from suspension, plus Southampton’s Shane Long who could be fit enough to take part this time.

The Ireland manager making no public comments regarding the Newcastle United keeper since the 1-1 draw.

West Ham’s Darren Randolph played on Friday night, with Millwall’s David Forde on the bench.

Taking into account what Martin O’Neill had to say before the match, it appears that Rob Elliot would only have been called upon in an emergency, if the likes of Randolph or Forde got injured.

Martin O’Neill speaking before Friday’s match:

“I understand Newcastle’s position and from our viewpoint, I think they understand ours. We could call him and assess him ourselves if we so desire.

“But Rob himself – I think that he is the main person to ask about it all and Rob himself, while feeling that he is not great, would obviously want to do something.

“But he doesn’t feel as if he’s 100% fit, or possibly not even 80% fit, so from that viewpoint, even though he did splendidly in the game, I think we are served well enough.”

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