Seamus Coleman has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany with injury.
Manager Martin O'Neill confirmed on Wednesday that the Everton defender has a hamstring injury which will keep him out of Thursday's tie in Dublin.
However he is hopeful Coleman, who has not trained all week, could be available for the final Group D clash against Poland on Sunday in Warsaw.
Fears over Wes Hoolahan's fitness have eased after he trained on Wednesday.
The Norwich midfielder has a heel problem but is expected to start with midfielders Glenn Whelan and James McClean suspended.
Coleman has missed recent games for Everton with the hamstring injury which also kept him out of the Republic's win over Gibraltar last month.
Cyrus Christie could again deputise for Coleman in the crucial Group D clash.
The Derby County player scored his first international goal in the 4-0 qualifier win over Gibraltar, although Coleman was back in the side that beat Georgia.
Defender Marc Wilson is a major doubt having stayed at his club Stoke City for treatment on a calf injury.
Martin O'Neill's side face a tough double-header, but victory in just one of the matches would guarantee at least a third-place finish and a play-off spot.
Two draws would not be enough for the Republic if Scotland, who trail them by four points, win their final games against the Poles and Gibraltar.
Midfielder Wes Hoolahan should feature against Germany after recovering from a heel injury
At Tuesday's training, assistant manager Roy Keane said he expected the Republic's record goalscorer Robbie Keane to be ready to face Germany if selected days after the birth of his second son.
The 35-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy striker was not due to arrive in Dublin until Tuesday evening after his wife Claudine gave birth on the other side of the Atlantic.
Asked whether his former team-mate would be available for the showdown with group leaders Germany, Keane said: "Yes, why wouldn't he be?
"He didn't have the baby. Unless he's breast-feeding he should be all right."
The younger Keane was part of the team that secured a famous 1-1 draw with the world champions courtesy of John O'Shea's injury-time strike in Gelsenkirchen in October last year.
That result came amid an uncharacteristically slow start to the campaign by Joachim Low's men, who have since put together a run of five successive qualifier victories.
Assistant boss Keane said the world champions would be a different proposition this time around, but he was confident Ireland had improved too.
He said: "I think we are a stronger team. Like you would expect with any campaign, teams improve.
"Germany were a bit sluggish at the start, but with all the qualities they have it was only a matter of time before they started winning matches and topped the group.
"But we will be ready
#IRLGER
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