Eunan O’Kane misses Austria trip as Harry Arter poised for start

The Ireland squad arrived in Vienna on Thursday evening ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Austria but Leeds United midfielder Eunan O’Kane has missed the trip with the 26-year-old returning to his club after failing to recover from a groin strain that has troubled him all week.

The other 27 members of the group, including Dundalk's Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle, all came through the final training session before departure without any problem and all were on board the team flight to the Austrian capital. O'Neill's other two injury concerns, James McClean and John O'Shea, both came through without any apparent issues and are on course to be available for Saturday.

O’Kane’s injury is a major blow for the Derryman who featured in all four of Ireland’s spring and early summer friendly games, starting against Slovakia, before making his competitive debut as a substitute late on in the World Cup qualifying game against Moldova in Chisinau last month.

Losing him, deprives O'Neill of an option in midfield where Ireland are already without Everton's James McCarthy but it will add to the expectation that Harry Arter will finally get his opportunity to start a competitive game for Ireland this weekend.