Town striker David McGoldrick was back in full training with the Republic of Ireland squad at the National Training Centre at Abbotstown this morning, having sat out yesterday's session due to the hamstring injury which forced him off during the second half of the Blues' 3-1 home defeat to Bristol City on Saturday.

Speaking yesterday, Ireland boss Martin O’Neill said McGoldrick had had a scan on the problem and “seems to be fine”.

Ireland face the Moldovans at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday and three days later travel to Cardiff to take on the Welsh, who will be without Real Madrid star Gareth Bale the FAW confirmed this morning.

McGoldrick and his Irish team-mates will be looking to secure all six points as they aim for at least second spot in Group D and a place in the play-offs alongside seven other runners-up to determine who goes forward to the final stages in Russia next summer.

Speaking about the fixtures last month, McGoldrick said: “The games against Moldova and Wales are massive, Ireland’s biggest in a long time, and we need to get something from them — preferably two wins. I missed out on the Euros last year and I’d love to be going to Russia next year.

“But I know I’ve got to be fit and firing if I’m going to have any chance of making the squad. In the meantime I want to help them get the results they need against Moldova and Wales. After I couldn’t be involved in the Georgia and Serbia games [as his partner was giving birth to their fourth child] it would mean a lot to me.”

Former Blues Daryl Murphy and Conor Hourihane are also included in the squad but Jon Walters is ruled out with a knee injury.

Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Colin Doyle (Bradford City), Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (Burnley), James McCarthy (Everton), David Meyler (Hull City), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Jonathan Hayes (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Daryl Horgan (Preston North End), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall).

Photo: Action Images

Wickets added 13:47 - Oct 3 Fingers crossed!
1

Facefacts added 14:14 - Oct 3 You just know he's going to do his hamstring. Nothing we can do about it. He could easily have withdrawn from the squad, just decided not to.
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cat added 14:17 - Oct 3 Tightening of the hamstrings can disappear as quick as they appear. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I don't think Dids is an automatic nailed on starter anyhow, with luck he won't get a game!!
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Seasider added 15:15 - Oct 3 Pleased that he was allowed to sit out first day of training,pity second day couldn't have been a light session;which would still give him a couple of days full training. Would still like to see him on the bench for the first game though;so wouldn't need to test his hamstring too much(especially if he didn't get on lol). I know that he really wants to play for his country in these World Cup qualifiers,and wish him all the best;but he is playing so well for Ipswich at the moment that none of us,including him,would like to see him miss out in the Championship battle.

4

happybeingblue added 19:07 - Oct 3 good luck to dids and ireland hope they qualify in second place
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Edmundo added 22:24 - Oct 3 It's in his and Ireland ''s interest to stay fit and in form right through to June. C'mon Ireland!
1

Edmundo added 22:25 - Oct 3 Oh, and in our interest too! COYB
1

12th_Man added 23:23 - Oct 3 He better not come back injured O'Neill
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