Republic of Ireland squad reduced to 27 as James McCarthy pulls out

Quick roll call ahead of Saturday.

• Richard Keogh: absent.
• Sean Maguire: absent.
• James McCarthy: absent.

Three injuries to three men who would've otherwise made the final cut in Denmark makes the Irish squad look ever thinner ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifier in Copenhagen. Add to that David McGoldrick, Alan Browne, Daryl Horgan and Jonny Hayes being axed from the squad and now Martin O'Neill is working with 27 players. But he's still not giving up on Jon Walters. The Republic are training in Abbotstown before departing for Scandinavia for the first leg of two games that stand between the country and a fourth ever World Cup appearance. To take them there remain just 27 players. Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Rob Elliot (Newcastle), Colin Doyle (Bradford). Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Paul McShane (Reading), Shane Duffy (Brighton), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Long (Burnley), Stephen Ward (Burnley). Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds), David Meyler (Hull), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (West Brom). Forwards: Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall).