Duff and Treacy ruled out of Armenia game

Soccer:Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has suffered two more blows to his midfield options for the opening Euro 2012 qualifier away to Armenia on Friday with confirmation that wingers Damien Duff and Keith Treacy have been ruled out of the game through injury.

Duff sustained a calf injury in Fulham's 2-2 draw at Blackpool at the weekend, while Treacy, an option to replace him on the left, limped out of Preston’s 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United with a groin strain.

Both players have returned to their clubs for treatment and will be considered for the home game against Andorra on September 7th if they have recovered.

The duo join Keith Andrews on the sidelines, though the Blackburn Rovers midfielder is certain to miss both games with a groin injury.

Doubts remain over the fitness of Paul McShane, who trained on his own at the opening session in Malahide today.

McShane was ruled out of his club’s Championship meeting with Doncaster on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni also confirmed that Aiden McGeady is carrying a slight ankle knock, although the Italian admitted the Spartak Moscow player is not a major concern.

The loss of Duff and Treacy and concern over McGeady limited Trapattoni’s options at training today, with Andy Keogh playing on the left of midfield, while Liam Lawrence filled the right-wing berth.

Ireland open their Group B campaign against Armenia in Yerevan on Friday evening, before the visit of Andorra the following Tuesday.

In October, Russia will visit Dublin before a trip to Slovakia for Trapattoni’s men four days later on the 12th.