Duff misses Republic qualifiers

Damien Duff will miss the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Montenegro.

The Newcastle winger has been forced to withdraw from Giovanni Trapattoni's squad after picking up a groin injury.

Defender Paul McShane returns after a knee problem forced him to miss the friendly against Norway in Oslo.

Trapattoni takes charge for his first competitive match against Georgia in Mainz, Germany, on 6 September and then faces Montenegro away four days later.

Trapattoni said: "It is a shame that we have lost Damien Duff. He started very well and is an important player in the Irish squad."

The Georgia match will be played at a neutral location due to the recent problems in the country."

Republic squad: Given, Kiely, Bruce, Delaney, Dunne, Finnan, Kelly, Kilbane, O'Brien, O'Shea, McShane, Hunt, McGeady, Miller, A Reid, S Reid, Whelan, Doyle, Keane, Keogh, Long, Murphy.

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