This is not the news we wanted to hear.
With a week to go until Ireland face Denmark in Copenhagen in the first of two crucial play-off games for the World Cup, they have been handed some terrible news.
In an exclusive by Aidan Fitzmaurice of the
Independent, it is being reported that Sean Maguire is out of the Ireland squad for both matches against Denmark.
The 23-year-old is facing up to three months on the sideline due to a serious hamstring injury.
Maguire made his senior international debut in October in Ireland's win over Moldova. He was named in Martin O'Neill's 34-man squad and was in line to play a role against Denmark in both play-off games.
However, it is believed that Maguire has since suffered a torn hamstring and needs to undergo surgery despite playing a full 90 minutes for Preston North End in their midweek defeat to Aston Villa.
The Preston North End striker Sean Maguire was called up to the Ireland squad for the first time in the World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Serbia back in September.
Maguire also took part in Preston North End's match against Brentford at the end of October where they lost 3-2 but the Irish forward did get on the score sheet for his side despite not playing the full match.
