Kenny Cunningham is an uncertain starter for the Republic of Ireland match against Argentina at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday, after sustaining an injury at the weekend.

Cunningham, who captained the team which lost to the Czech Republic last month, is being treated for a groin problem, sustained in Wimbledon's 5-0 defeat By Arsenal on Saturday.

The injury kept him out of a training session at Clonshaugh yesterday and while Mick McCarthy hasn't yet ruled him out of the squad, he admits that the player may struggle to meet Wednesday's deadline.

Earlier, the game had lost one of its prime attractions and the Irish team a potential rallying point, after Damien Duff, a significant success on his promotion to the side in the Czech Republic, had been ruled out with a strain.

Once Duff had been withdrawn from the Blackburn team which went down to West Ham on Saturday, there was never any prospect of his being cleared to join the international squad in Dublin yesterday morning.

It means that his first home appearance as a senior international, has been deferred, at least until the game against Mexico next month. And that's a fell blow at a time when McCarthy is embarked on the task of identifying likely pockets of inspiration for the task of beating the Argentinians.

Nor is his the only withdrawal from the original squad of 22. David Kelly, hoping to start his first game for Ireland in almost 18 months, was pulled out on Saturday because of a hip injury and a back problem has ended Gareth Whalley's aspirations of a first cap.

Ironically, Whalley was watched by McCarthy on Saturday when he filled a pivotal role in midfield for Crewe against Sunderland and did well enough for 70 minutes, to convince the manager that he may have a useful contribution to make to the national team.

"He's a good footballer in a good footballing side and like Damien Duff, he would have been in my team plans on Wednesday" he said. "He was also unavailable for the game in Olomouc but hopefully, his luck will change by the time we play Mexico."

Although Niall Quinn didn't get his name on the scoresheet in Sunderland's important 2-1 success, he was, in McCarthy's estimation, hugely impressive. "Niall is now fitter and more mobile, than at any time in recent years and that is a tribute to the way he has worked since his operation. At 30, there is no reason why he cannot go on for another five or six years."

On Roy Keane's rehabilitation from a similar injury, he said: "At this point, it seems highly unlikely that Roy will return to Manchester United's team before the end of the season and that, of course, means that he will not be available for the game against Mexico.

"When I last spoke with him three weeks ago, he was doing everything in training except contact work. Presumably, he has since moved on from there but Alex Ferguson will not wish to risk him until such time as he feels that the player's recovery is complete."

Apart from Cunningham, Gareth Farrelly and Kevin Kilbane are also under treatment for injuries and with Duff out, McCarthy will be monitoring the progress of both, before filling the left-sided position in midfield.

Lee Carsley, one of two Derby County players in the squad, has 'flu and wasn't required to venture out in the rain yesterday. The expectation is, however, that like his clubmate, Rory Delap, he will be available for selection tomorrow.

Ireland have not won a game since the 2-1 success over Lithuania at Vilnius in September and McCarthy acknowledges the need to redress that situation at the earliest opportunity. "We've produced some very good displays since then, none more so than in the Czech Republic, but the reality is that we must soon start winning games.

"Obviously, we're not going to beat Argentina on Wednesday without playing well but I'll gladly take any kind of win, even if we get it with an 89th minute deflection. That's how important the game is to us."

Argentina, who arrive in Dublin, today, have augmented their squad, with the recall of some of those who missed last Wednesday's shock 2-1 defeat by Israel. They are due to announce their side after a training session at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray tomorrow morning.