Matt Holland and Irish manager Mick McCarthy have both spoken about the Ipswich captain's injuries. The usually injury-proof Holland has been forced to pull out of the Irish squad for their friendly with Croatia, but it seems this is just a precaution.

Holland said: "I have got a sore ankle which has swollen, so it was decided it would be best for me to rest it and miss the Croatia game. That is a shame because I would have liked to have played, but I have to be sensible about things and miss out. I spoke to Mick McCarthy and he would rather I had time to get fully fit and play for Ipswich and then the big one against Holland in September."

McCarthy echoed Holland's words: "They are only minor injuries, but I would prefer not to risk him on this occasion. It's much more important that Matt is fully fit for our World Cup qualifier against Holland. It's the game against the Dutch that I need Matt to partner Roy Keane in the centre of midfield, especially with Mark Kinsella ruled out for six weeks after a hernia operation."

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