Jeff Hendrick’s injury reduces O’Neill’s midfield options

Jeff Hendrick is set to follow Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly internationals against Switzerland and Slovakia.

The 24-year-old Derby player was forced to sit out training at Abbotstown again yesterday due to a shoulder injury.

“Jeff sat it out and is struggling,” said Roy Keane afterwards. “He had a fall at the weekend and I’m sure you’ve had a medical update. He’s had previous problems with his shoulder and I think Jeff might be looking to go back to Derby to get it properly looked at.

“If there is any doubt then they don’t play, of course. I think Jeff might be heading back in the next day or two.”

Firm favourite

His departure would deprive Martin O’Neill of one of a player who established himself as a firm favourite over the course of the campaign but may expand the manager’s opportunity to experiment in midfield where Alan Judge has already been pencilled in for at least one start and Jonny Hayes and Eunan O’Kane are amongst those hoping for a chance.

Keane confirmed that Robbie Keane, Robbie Brady and Jon Walters also watched from the sidelines as the bulk of the squad took part in the second training session of the week.

But Keane said that while Brady, the most doubtful of them for Friday’s first game of the double header, is still sore after having injured his own shoulder while playing for Norwich on Saturday, the former Hull City star looks to be on course to be available to play.

Jack Byrne took part in the session prior to joining up with the Under-21 squad and Keane said that while the 19-year-old had made a positive impression, he remains one for the future.

“Listen a blind man can see he’s a talented boy who can deal with the ball. But you also have to remind these kids sometimes that talent is a very small part of actually becoming a top footballer. You’ve got all of the rest of it – a bit of luck, work-rate, the right attitude, desire,” said Keane.

“Yeah, he left a good impression with all of us but, of course, you’re looking probably (at him) for the next campaign. It would be unrealistic for some of these lads to try and push for the summer. It’s good experience for one or two of the young players to join us (but) unless they pulled up trees this week and did brilliantly at their clubs . . . we have some senior players who have done really well for us. So the lads might have to be a little bit patient.”

Asked about the teenager’s manifest self-confidence, the former Manchester United star was clearly amused.

“He’s certainly not shy,” he said. “He’s a Dublin kid, isn’t he? Yeah. I didn’t think he was from Waterford or Cork.”

Keane says there are no real developments with regard to his future beyond the Euro 2016 finals with the 44-year-old describing himself as: “so relaxed about it, it’s untrue”.

“If the manager agrees his contract next month and decides to stay on then no doubt he’ll have a conversation with me about whether there is a deal there for me,” said the Corkman. “Who knows? Until the manager gets sorted out, I’ve nothing to add. That will all be dictated by that.

A challenge

“Looking at the bigger picture, I’ve got to do what’s right for me, if there’s a challenge there for me. . . I’m enjoying the job. I said many times before a lot will be dictated whether the manager wants me to stay on, what the deal is on the table, and your own self-worth. We’ll see.”

In the wake of the horrific attacks in Brussels yesterday, Keane was asked about security at Euro 2016 but insisted that he has no new concerns about safety at the tournament.

“We had a meeting at the hotel the night before last, a few officials from the FAI and the manager. We went through all that stuff – travelling preparation, security, the usual stuff. But to be honest, we’ve had no discussion, no issues with security. That is not our job. Our job is to go out there and prepare the team as best as we can for the players to go out and just focus on the game.

“There will always be some sort of distraction, tickets and family, the usual stuff. But generally speaking . . . me personally, no, I’ve no concerns. There’s a security team put in place. We will be well looked after.

“We’ve enough on our plate to be worried about. We’ve been to the hotel and no doubt it was secure. There will be even higher security when the tournament kicks off and we’re in our training camp. But nobody has had a conversation with me about being worried about safety.”