Shane Duffy and Enda Stevens have been ruled out of Ireland’s upcoming games against Latvia and France.
Manager Stephen Kenny will reveal his squad this afternoon but the defensive duo miss out with injuries.
Fulham centre-back Duffy has a calf issue while crocked Stevens has been sidelined for Sheffield United since the FA Cup third round in January.
Duffy was in danger of missing the Aviva Stadium double-header anyway as he has not been playing for Fulham, with just six appearances all season
Kenny admitted two weeks ago that he had “a lot to consider” on whether to pick Duffy, who has been a stand-in captain for him on nine occasions.
Celtic’s Mikey Johnston is expected to be included by Kenny for the Latvia friendly on March 22 and the all-important Euro 2024 opener with France five days later.
On loan at Portuguese top flight side Vitória Guimarães, the Glasgow-born winger secured international clearance for the Boys in Green earlier this month.
Blackburn Rovers midfielder Sammie Szmodics is also eligible having secured an Irish passport, although his inclusion is not as cut and dried.
Cardiff City forward Callum Robinson was ruled out last month because of a hamstring injury, but fellow attackers Adam Idah and Troy Parrott are available again.
