The FAI have confirmed that Darron Gibson is out of Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland due to a 'persistent groin injury'.
Gibson has gradually fought his way back into the reckoning with Everton since recovering from a knee injury and after a couple of appearances off the bench, the midfielder has started the last three Premier League games with the Toffees.
The Derryman joined up with the squad after Sunday's win against QPR complaining of a tight groin and after missing the first three days of training with the squad, the decision was taken to send him back to his club today.
Another man who may yet be ruled out is left-back Stephen Ward who had a procedure carried out this week on an ankle injury he picked up last December.
Ward has only missed 20 of the 360 minutes of the campaign, after he was substituted for Robbie Brady in the easy win over Gibraltar, but he is yet to train with the rest of the squad this week.
Irish boss Martin O'Neill has indicated that anyone struggling to find their fitness or out of match practice will have to make do with a supporting role.
"I wouldn't want to be gambling with too many players' fitness, certainly in the starting team."
Ward's absence would mean that Brady, Marc Wilson, Ciaran Clark or Cyrus Christie would have to fill the gap.
