Vera Pauw has described Katie McCabe’s chances of being on the flight to Texas next Monday as “pretty high” - after naming the Arsenal ace in her squad for the friendly double-header against the USA.
McCabe was left on crutches and in a protective boot after Wednesday night’s Champions League win against Bayern Munich.
However, an x-ray and scan failed to identify anything more serious than bad bone bruising.
So Pauw will give the skipper every chance to make the matches on Saturday April 8 in Austin, Texas, and Tuesday April 11 in St Louis, Missouri.
“We are waiting on the final say of the doctor but her x-ray is clear and her scan is clear,” said Pauw on Friday morning.
“So, it looks like a very bad bruise on the bone and now the assessment is that if that bruise can heal in time she can play, but that is up to the doctor [Siobhan Forman].
“The biggest relief is of course that it is not a long term injury, it is just a matter of whether she can play against the USA or not, but no fear for the World Cup.”
Pauw admitted she was “very worried” when McCabe hit the turf clutching her left foot on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old had to be carried off the pitch by two of the Gunners’ medical staff.
“Of course (I was) very worried. I thought, ‘Let it not interfere with her World Cup’, because she deserves it so much and Ireland deserves to have her at the World Cup,” said Pauw.
“When an injury like that occurs I step back, I do not interfere at all.
“We have a Plan A and a Plan B that we discuss among the technical staff. Then we wait for news. It is up to the doctors at that point.”
Asked what the chances were of McCabe making Monday’s flight, Pauw replied: “Pretty high.
“If there is no damage it is a matter of, ‘can we control the pain?’, but that is up to the doctors. The Arsenal doctor is assessing it at this moment.”
Addressing the importance of McCabe’s availability for the two games against the USA, Pauw said: “We all know where we stand, we are playing the world champions, which is massive, but we need stability in the group.
“I would never bring a player, even Katie, if she has no chance of playing.
“If a player of Katie's calibre has a chance of playing she also brings stability to the group and that is very necessary when you play a game like this.”
Pauw has named a 27-player squad for the US games, with first-time calls for Lewes goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse, Peamount United defender Tara O’Hanlon and Shamrock Rovers attacker Alannah McEvoy.
Both O’Hanlon and McEvoy have represented Ireland at Under-16, U17 and U19 level.
Whitehouse qualifies through her Dublin-born mother and played in the US college system before moving to England, where she linked up with Tottenham Hotspur, Birmingham City and Bristol City ahead of signing for English Championship side Lewes in 2022.
Injuries rule out Niamh Fahey, Chloe Mustaki, Ellen Molloy, Jess Ziu and Leanne Kiernan, while Megan Campbell is unavailable.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Tara O’Hanlon (Peamount United), Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Roma McLaughlin (Fortuna Hjorring)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Alannah McEvoy (Shamrock Rovers)
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