Concussed Brady to miss football World Cup qualifier

In a blow to the Republic of Ireland, Robbie Brady is set to miss the World Cup qualifier in Moldova after being knocked out during the 1-0 win over Georgia.

The Norwich player's neck was put in a brace and he was given oxygen as he was carried off on a stretcher during Thursday's match.

Ireland manager Martin O'Neill said that concussion protocols are likely to rule out Brady on Sunday, according to a BBC report.

Brady was "out cold" after a clash of heads but quickly regained consciousness and went to hospital.

"He was concussed," added the manager. He's come back around and the doctors are quite pleased with him," O'Neill said.

Brady's probable absence is another blow for O'Neill's much depleted squad after midfielder Jeff Hendrick's booking in Thursday's 1-0 win resulted in his suspension for Sunday's game.

Daryl Murphy, who scored Ireland's late equaliser in last month's 2-2 draw in Serbia, was among eight players already ruled out of this week's qualifiers with Keiren Westwood, Harry Arter, Stephen Quinn, Kevin Doyle, Aiden McGeady, Anthony Pilkington and Marc Wilson also absent.

On the plus side, O'Neill is optimistic that striker Shane Long will be fit for Chisinau (capital of Moldova) despite limping off late in Thursday's game with a leg muscle injury.

Seamus Coleman's first international goal in the 56th minute secured the win after Georgia had twice hit the woodwork in a dominant first half at the Aviva Stadium.

--IANS

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