Carsley the sole worry in Kerr's plans

Brian Kerr looks set to have another strong squad for Saturday's vital European Championship game against Russia after almost…

Brian Kerr looks set to have another strong squad for Saturday's vital European Championship game against Russia after almost every one of the 24 players he named in his squad for the match came through the weekend's action in Britain without any injury problems.

Colin Healy did pick up a slight thigh strain in Sunderland's 4-0 defeat of Bradford on Saturday while Lee Carsley is scheduled to play a reserve team game for Everton tomorrow evening as part of his rehabilitation from a knee ligament problem. The Corkman is expected to be fit leaving Carsley as the only doubt.

Sunderland full back Ian Rossiter, meanwhile, faces an even longer lay-off than originally anticipated after a tumour was discovered in his knee while the under-21 international was undergoing surgery on the cruciate ligament injury sustained against Albania at the end of last season.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times