Cyrus Christie may miss Austria qualifier with ankle injury

Full-back is latest concern for O’Neill after limping off during Derby’s win over Wolves

Derby County’s Cyrus Christie limped off with an ankle injury in their Championship win over Wolves. Photo: Getty Images
Derby County’s Cyrus Christie limped off with an ankle injury in their Championship win over Wolves. Photo: Getty Images

Ireland's injury problems continue to mount ahead of next week's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Austria after Cyrus Christie limped off with an ankle injury in Derby's win over Wolves on Saturday.

Christie went down clutching his ankle just before half-time after he appeared to roll over on it and despite having lengthy treatment and the benefit of the half-time break, he was replaced just after the begining of the second half.

It’s a third defensive concern for O’Neill after John O’Shea and Stephen Ward were left out of the Sunderland and Burnley squads respectively this weekend.

Both are suffering from hamstring injuries while James McCarthy is still struggling with a groin niggle.

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Despite being 2-0 up at half-time Derby were pushed in the second half by a resurgent Wolves but managed to hold on for a 3-2 win.

There was some good news for O’Neill however as Robbie Brady netted for Norwich but that wasn’t enough as they went down 3-2 at home to Leeds.

Glenn Whelan also found the net but, unfortunately, the wrong net as his own goal gave West Ham the lead at the Olympic Stadium before Bojan salvaged a point for Stoke late on.

Another injury concern for O’Neill comes in the form of Stephen Quinn who was left out of the Reading squad with a knee problem.