Stephen Ward a major doubt for Poland qualifier

Stephen Ward looks to be a major doubt for Sunday's game against Poland with the Burnley left back set to receive treatment over the next couple of days on a recurrence of the ankle injury that has sidelined him for most of the last three months.

The Dubliner, who has been a regular under Martin O’Neill, arrived into Malahide as planned and remains hopeful of being available to play some part in the qualifier but he is said to be struggling with the ankle problem and is set to have it assessed this evening.

Darron Gibson sat out most of the session after complaining of a groin problem while Glenn Whelan was restricted to some light running due to a relatively minor hamstring problem but O'Neill declared himself otherwise happy with the state of his squad as the likes of Robbie Brady and Aiden McGeady both took an active part in training this morning.

“He (Brady) did some work there,” said O’Neill afterwards, “and while it wasn’t long, it was pretty intense so for someone who’s had a calf problem, he’s done fine.

“Aiden did fine there (too). I don’t think it was the knee that kept him out of the (Everton) team yesterday. He obviously travelled down but he wasn’t involved. But I think he is feeling pretty okay and also did that work today. With a little bit of luck, I think he will come through it okay and he wasn’t complaining.”

Seamus Coleman took more of a part in the squad’s first session of the week than Everton team mate James McCarthy but the manager said it was natural that the pair would be a little tired after the games and travelling that Everton had been involved in last week. Both, he suggested, should benefit from the relatively low key week of training in Dublin.

A few players had yet to arrive with Harry Arter, whose partner is pregnant, due in this evening. Robbie Keane and Jon Walters also missed the opening session of the week but will both be involved over the next day or so with O'Neill happy that the Stoke City player will not be affected by the fractured cheekbone that required surgery last week.

“Jon is coming in,” he said, “and he’s pretty upbeat. He’s got a mask and played for the last few minutes in the Stoke game and did well to put himself forward for the game and there is this week. I think he is feeling fine and will be in later today.”