Duff looks doubtful for crucial playoff

November 5, 2009

The playoff between the Repiblic of ireland and France to see who makes it to the 2010 World Cup finals is set to take place in the 14th of November but at the moment one of Irelands key players, Damien Duff, looks set to miss the match with the news he is expected to miss his club sides game at Wigan at the weekend.

Duff has an Achilles injury and now appears to be a major doubt for the 14 November opener at Croke Park with the second leg in Paris four days later.

France will be without injured pair Gael Clichy and Franck Ribery.

Full-back Clichy has a back injury while Bayern Munich star Ribery is ruled out by a knee injury.

Fulham trio Duff, Danny Murphy and Andrew Johnson are all ruled out for Thursday’s Europa League clash against Roma and Hodgson expects them to also miss Sunday’s game against Wigan.

“I don’t think there’s much hope for for Johnson, Murphy and Duff for the weekend,” Hodgson said.

Speaking last weekend, Hodgson had appeared more optimistic about Duff’s chances of being available for the World Cup play-off.

“It is very hard stopping Damien playing for the Republic of Ireland. You have to lock him in a cage,” added the Fulham boss after Duff came off during the win over Liverpool.

“It’s an injury he has been struggling with for a while.

“It stems from his Achilles, although it’s a little bit more complicated than that.

“There is no way I would even consider him for Roma. I will ask the medical staff to take as long as they need to try to get him back into shape as quickly as they can.

“And if he’s fit for next Sunday then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t play for the Republic.”

Duff is a key member of manager Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic squad.

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