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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Oisin Doherty

Vera Pauw without four stars ahead of Republic of Ireland's final World Cup qualifier against Slovakia

Ireland manager Vera Pauw will be forced to shuffle the pack when Ireland take on Slovakia on Tuesday, with four members of the squad set to miss out on the game due to injury and suspension.

Ireland booked their place in the play-offs for next years World Cup with a historic 1-0 victory over Finland at home on Thursday. However, they picked up a number of casualties in the build up to the game and the actual match itself, with Niamh Fahey, Jamie Finn, Ruesha Littlejohn and Megan Connolly all set to miss out.

Littlejohn misses out with a foot injury having been trodden on in the opening seconds of the game. The Aston Villa midfielder battled on for the next forty minutes, but had to be replaced by eventual matchwinner Lily Agg before the interval.

READ MORE: The best images as Ireland secure historic World Cup play-off spot

Fahey picked up a groin injury before Thursday's game and won't be available for the clash with Slovakia. Finn picked up a yellow card against the Fins and is suspended, while Megan Connolly injured her ribs and is also unavailable.

Pauw has called up Shelbourne star Jessie Stapleton and West Ham ace Isibeal Atkinson to the squad for Tuesday's important game. While Ireland are already guaranteed a play-off spot, victory over Slovakia would secure Ireland a place as one of the three best runners-up and would advance them straight to the second play-off round.

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