Soccer

Michael Obafemi ruled out of Ukraine game through injury

Kenny knows team are ‘up against it’ in Poland as a number of players are missing

Michael Obafemi celebrates after scoring against Scotland. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty
Michael Obafemi celebrates after scoring against Scotland. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty
Mon Jun 13 2022 - 18:20

Michael Obafemi, Ireland’s man of the match against Scotland, has been ruled out of the game against Scotland, as Stephen Kenny challenges his much-changed side to repeat their level of performance as they attempt to gain revenge over Ukraine.

Ireland face Ukraine, who beat them 1-0 in Dublin last week, in Lodz on Tuesday evening with suspension, injury and unavailability hampering their efforts to back up Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Scots.

However, speaking at his pre-match press conference at the LKS Stadium in Lodz, Kenny said: “We know we’re up against it, we’re going to have to put in a really, really strong performance and the players can take confidence from Saturday.

“There are several changes, enforced changes, but certainly the spirit is good in the group. We’ll have to be at our best tomorrow night, we know that.”

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Shane Duffy’s suspension and the impending arrival of John Egan’s child will deny Kenny two of his first-choice central defenders, while Seamus Coleman has joined Matt Doherty on the injured list.

Kenny said: “Hopefully John gets good news today himself at home. Shane, obviously, is suspended and there’s nothing we can do about that.

“Listen, the team that played Portugal, for example, recently had a back five with Matt Doherty, Seamus Coleman, John Egan, Shane Duffy – none of them are available, so that’s a challenge for ourselves to compensate for that.

“But we’re not unduly concerned because that’s why we’ve been blooding players, to give ourselves that level of depth, and I feel anyone coming in won’t necessarily weaken us.”