Ireland have lost two key strikers ahead of tomorrow’s friendly clash with England at Wembley - but Stephen Kenny does not feel cursed.
The FAI has confirmed that Callum Robinson is the Ireland player who tested positive for Covid-19.
And the West Brom striker is officially out of the England clash and the Nations League double-header against Wales and Bulgaria
But in a further significant blow to boss Stephen Kenny, Aaron Connolly will also miss the triple header.
The Brighton forward shipped an unspecified injury at Ireland’s training session in Barnet yesterday.
Kenny was planning to deploy the former Under-21 star as a central striker following David McGoldrick’s shock retirement.
Preston North End forward Sean Maguire has been drafted in as attacking cover following Robinson and Connolly’s withdrawals.
Kenny did contact Southampton to see if Shane Long was available but the veteran striker was injured in training with the Saints.
Swansea City's Ryan Manning has also been called up and will link up with the squad ahead of the Wales match in Cardiff on Sunday.
Kenny’s plans for last month’s Euro playoff in Slovakia and Nations League games against Wales and Finland were ruined by Covid cases in the camp.
Asked today if he felt cursed, the Ireland boss said: “No, absolutely not. This is the way of the world at the moment.
“People are talking about a vaccine being imminent and 90 per cent proof, all that sort of headlines, so hopefully this situation is temporary throughout the world.
“In Callum's case, he came in and on the first test he's tested positive. He wasn't feeling unwell, so it's just unfortunate for him, really.
“It is the case that we're disappointed, but you've got to deal with whatever comes your way.”
Connolly’s absence tomorrow is another source of frustration as the Ireland boss wanted to play him as the lead striker.
Kenny added: “Aaron will be a terrific player for Ireland. The frustrating part of Aaron’s injury is he will only be ruled out for 10 days.
“It just happens we have three games in that period. It’s a minor, grade one hamstring strain. It was just a deceleration in a training game and it was very unfortunate.
“But Adam Idah comes into the picture, Ronan Curtis, and James Collins.”
He continued: "I’m just disappointed for Callum. Between being a close contact and this it’s cost him five starts for Ireland, between this camp and the last one.
"And he’s an important player for us. He was really looking forward to this run of games. While he was disappointed after the last camp, he showed great dignity.
"He came in hugely determined to do well, I spoke to him a couple of times and he was really driven to do well.
"Then you wake up the morning after your test to the news you’re positive. It's difficult for the players, but from their point of view there is nothing they can do."
