IRELAND SUFFER MAJOR INJURY BLOW

The Republic of Ireland has been dealt a big blow ahead of their World Cup 2022 qualifier against Serbia next month following the injury to defender John Egan. The Sheffield United had to be stretched off in the second half of the Premier League clash with hosts West Ham United on Monday night. John Egan suffered a serious leg injury during a challenge with West Ham United forward Jesse Lingard during the second half of the Premier League clash with the Hammers and the said leg injury is on course to make him sit out the aforementioned World Cup 2022 qualifier with the Serbians.

Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kelly and his players start their World Cup 2022 qualifiers with a trip to Serbia on March 24 and they are likely to be without the injured John Egan for the Group A clash. Apart from the Republic of Ireland and Serbia, European champions Portugal, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan are also in Group A. John Egan is a key player for both Sheffield United and the Republic of Ireland under the managerial regime of Stephen Kelly.

For the Blades, they face a big fight to preserve their stay in the Premier League. They were beaten 3-0 at West Ham United on Monday and that defeat left them 14 points adrift of safety with 14 games left to play in the Premier League this season. The loss of John Egan to injury is a big dent to their survival hopes. In the same West Ham United game, Republic of Ireland international fullback Enda Stevens returned to action after a spell out with injury. While Ireland boss Stephen Kelly was provided with a boost with the return of Enda Stevens, he went on to lose the services of John Egan to injury ahead of the crucial World Cup 2022 qualifier at the home of Serbia next month.