New Sunderland recruit Andy Reid and Bolton Wanderers defender Joey O'Brien have both pulled out the Republic of Ireland squad to face Brazil in Croke Park next Wednesday.
Caretaker manager Don Givens has called up the Wolverhampton Wanderers duo Kevin Foley and Darren Potter as replacements.
Reid has been struggling with a knee injury since mid-December and was always a doubt to take part. Given the fact that he has just signed for Roy Keane's struggling Sunderland side, it is hardly surprising the midfielder has confirmed his withdrawal.
O'Brien injured his hamstring in Bolton's match against Fulham this week.
Meanwhile, there have been further reports that Giovanni Trapattoni is interested in succeeding Steve Staunton, despite Italian denying such rumours earlier in the week.
The whole process looks to have stalled slightly and the announcement that appeared penciled in for Sunday is unlikely to happen at this stage.
FAI president David Blood and chief executive John Delaney are in Zagreb at the moment where met today with Irish Football Association (IFA) chiefs and agreed to set up a working group to expand on cooperation between the two organisations.
The group will focus on issues such as the possibility of an All-Ireland league, the grey area surrounding player eligibility and "improving the Setanta Sports Cup concept", according to a statement released today.
In relation to an All-Ireland league it was agreed today that any such venture would be run "through, and by," both associations.
