Beleaguered Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has lost four more players for Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic.
Paddy Kenny, Andy O'Brien, Kevin Doyle, Aiden McGeady and Stephen Ireland have all joined the list of absentees for the important lansdowne Road clash.
West Brom's Paul McShane will make his Republic debut while Brighton's Wayne Henderson is likely to start in goal.
Staunton made a U-turn on Tuesday by adding Lee Carsley to his squad.
The Everton midfielder has spent the last two and a half years in retirement after deciding to focus on club football and family.
Recently, however, Carsley contacted Staunton, stating he wished to be considered for future international fixtures.
When fellow central midfielders Steven Reid and Graham Kavanagh then withdrew through injury prior to Saturday's 5-2 humiliation by the Cypriots, Carsley's return appeared a formality.
However, Staunton maintained a defiant stance, explaining if he were to select Carsley it would be "a kick in the teeth" for the other members of the squad.
But with the injury situation worsening, Staunton said on Wednesday: "Lee was always in the back of my mind."
Celtic winger McGeady went over on his ankle during training at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday in what Staunton described as "a freak accident."
Sheffield United goalkeeper Kenny and Manchester City midfielder Ireland (both hamstring) have returned to their clubs along with Reading striker Kevin Doyle (ankle) while Portsmouth centre-back Andy O'Brien (ankle) is also out.
With Richard Dunne suspended, Staunton is without three of the back five from Saturday's humiliating 5-2 defeat to Cyprus in Nicosia on Saturday.
f McGeady is ruled out, Staunton will have 14 players on the sidelines for the visit of the Czechs.
McGeady, Kenny, O'Brien, Ireland, Doyle and Dunne are joined by Shay Given, Joey O'Brien, Stephen Carr, Ian Harte, Steven Reid, Graham Kavanagh, Stephen Elliott and Liam Miller.
"Aiden's injury is typical of what's happening. That's the luck at the moment," said a frustrated Staunton.
"I'm not making excuses, but I don't think many countries could cope with the amount of injuries we've had."
West Brom centre-back McShane will make his debut in a back four which also includes Steve Finnan, John O'Shea and Birmingham's Stephen Kelly, who only has two caps to his name.
Brighton's Wayne Henderson looks set to get the nod for the number one shirt ahead of Barnsley's Nicky Colgan as Staunton turns to his third-choice goalkeeper.
Henderson has made just two appearances for Ireland, both as substitute, while most recently he has played against the likes of Crewe, Yeovil and Chesterfield for a Brighton side 20th in League One.
Bookmarks