Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Town striker David McGoldrick has returned to the Blues and won’t be involved in Monday’s crucial final World Cup qualifier against Wales in Cardiff.
McGoldrick, who has won six Irish caps, was subbed in the second half of Town’s 3-1 home defeat to Bristol City eight days ago with a hamstring injury but was given the all-clear to train with the Ireland squad following a scan.
However, despite being fit the 29-year-old was subsequently left out of the matchday squad for Friday’s 2-0 victory over Moldova in Dublin, in which ex-Town frontman Daryl Murphy scored twice, and has now been released from international duty.
Squad Update | Martin O'Neill has confirmed that James McCarthy, Jonny Hayes and David McGoldrick have returned to their clubs. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/YYQNbu8tE1– FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 8, 2017
Meanwhile, former Blues left-back Aaron Cresswell made his first competitive appearance for England in this evening’s 1-0 victory in Lithuania.
However, Town won’t receive a windfall with all the top-up clauses in the deal which saw the 27-year-old joined West Ham in the summer of 2014 were linked to his league games for the Hammers - now up to 105 starts and three sub appearances - rather than international matches.