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Republic of Ireland trio ruled out of World Cup play-off against Denmark

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Keogh
Image: Richard Keogh picked up a groin injury while playing for Derby on Saturday

James McCarthy and Richard Keogh have joined Sean Maguire in being ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off against Denmark due to injury.

The trio were included in the provisional 34-man party named by boss Martin O'Neill last month for the two legs at Copenhagen's Parken Stadium on Saturday and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin three days later, with both games live on Sky Sports Football.

Everton midfielder McCarthy has been sidelined by a hamstring problem after making his only first-team appearance of the season on October 25, while Derby defender Keogh limped off early in his club's 4-2 loss to Reading on Saturday due to a groin issue.

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Martin O'Neill is hopeful Jeff Hendrick will be fit for Saturday's first leg

The Football Association of Ireland on Monday announced that the pair would miss the games against Denmark, along with Preston forward Maguire.

A statement read: "Injuries have ruled out defender Richard Keogh (groin), midfielder James McCarthy (hamstring) and forward Sean Maguire (hamstring)."

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Other men dropping out from O'Neill's squad as he trimmed the group down to 27 are David McGoldrick, Jonny Hayes, Daryl Horgan and Alan Browne.

Hull midfielder David Meyler is included but will miss the first leg through suspension.

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There is no place for Jonathan Walters, who has a niggling knee injury.

Republic of Ireland's Jonathan Walters warms up before the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Group D match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin v Serbia on Sep 5
Image: Jonathan Walters has not been ruled out as he continues to battle a knee injury

Walters did not make the 34-man list but O'Neill admitted when that squad was announced that he had not yet closed the door on the Burnley forward, saying: "I haven't put him in at the moment, but he's making good progress and we'll see what the next 10 days brings."

Since then the Clarets have played twice, with Walters having no involvement.

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Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Colin Doyle (Bradford City).

Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Paul McShane (Reading), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley).

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (Burnley), Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), David Meyler (Hull City), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion).

Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall).

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