Gavin Bazunu handed Ireland an injury scare on the eve of their Nations League clash with Armenia here in sweltering Yerevan.
The Manchester City goalkeeper hurt his back in yesterday’s training session at the Yerevan Football Academy.
But the Ireland No 1 is likely to shake it off and has joined in the training session that is currently underway at the Republican Stadium.
Ireland boss Stephen Kenny is hopeful that Bazunu will be available for selection for the opening game of four across the next 12 days.
Bazunu missed the March friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania because of illness and Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher started both games.
Kelleher is here in Yerevan, along with Bournemouth’s Mark Travers with both players pushing Bazunu for a start tomorrow.
Kenny said today: “Gavin Bazunu had a back injury, he hurt his back. But he seems to be okay. I think we will have everyone available for selection.”
Meanwhile, the Ireland players and staff are waiting to hear if water breaks will be in play during tomorrow’s game.
Temperatures have hit 36 degrees in the Armenian capital this week, and will be around 30 degrees at kick-off tomorrow (5pm local time, 2pm Irish).
Romanian referee Radu Petrescu must allow players to have water breaks if the temperature at match-time is 32 degrees or higher.
But it is believed the match officials can also use their discretion if the mercury dips below that figure.
Kenny said: “We don’t want to make it too much of a contentious issue. We’ll get ready and take the elements on. It would be ideal at 7.45pm, but it’s not at 3.00pm either.”
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