Blues forward Sammie Szmodics has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Armenia due to injury, the FAI has announced.

Last month, the 30-year-old was also forced to withdraw from the Ireland squad, due to some swelling on the ankle on which he had surgery earlier in the year having played in the 2-2 draw with Hungary.

Szmodics, who has previously won 11 full caps, played 86 minutes of yesterday’s 3-1 home victory over Norwich City.

Dara O’Shea, Kasey McAteer, Jack Taylor and Chieo Ogbene, who is on loan at Sheffield United for the season, remain in the party.

Ireland are away in Portugal on Saturday, then host Armenia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin three days later.

Ireland are currently bottom of their group having taken one point from their opening two matches.

Photo: Andrew Surma/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

dirtydingusmagee added 20:38 - Oct 6 jinxed,really want to see him come good at Town .
10

Kickingblock added 21:14 - Oct 6 He put in a good shift yesterday. Rest and recovery required.
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Nutkins_Return added 22:02 - Oct 6 I suspect he has just been managing the injury and it's an opportunity to get it right over the break rather than anything new and significant.
18

Bert added 23:13 - Oct 6 Works his socks off and deserves a goal.
18

KiwiTractor added 00:18 - Oct 7 As mentioned regularly with Szmodics, he runs a lot and works hard - but in my opinion I'm seeing very little attacking quality from him. Are we using him differently than how he was used by Blackburn or is he just not on the same wave link as the players around him?
0

LegendofthePhoenix added 06:14 - Oct 7 Sammie always gives 100% and has a great attitude. However he seems to have lost pace he was easily outpaced by Noj defenders on Sunday. Is that because he is carrying an injury, or is it that he is past his best, because the goal threat he had relied on bursts of pace to get ahead of those defenders?
1

Bluewhiteboy added 06:41 - Oct 7 He was allowed to go further up the pitch at Blackburn and seemed to have more of a right to roam hence all the goals. Problem here he is used a but further back and not to mention we rotate players so much.
3

cressi added 07:14 - Oct 7 I thought he played well Sunday helped the young lad out constantly talking to him putone on a plate for Hirst who should have done better with the chance really. Like others said a opportunity to get treatment and rest it before. Middlesbrough.
13

oldegold added 07:30 - Oct 7 He is a good asset and will come good...we need the predator class striker who scored against Spurs and Fulham away last season ...come on Sammie !
9

poet added 10:23 - Oct 7 Perhaps too much emphasis on whether Szmodics should score goals. I disagree, what he does off the ball creates chances and openings. He was never the quickest, but he makes up for that with his prolific work rate. There’s glory in actually putting the ball in the net, but worker bees help to produce good honey.
12

bringmeaKuqi added 11:00 - Oct 7 He puts in a huge shift with his pressing – no wonder he picks up knocks and small muscle injuries. Agree that he's not quite finding the spaces he needs to score. I wonder whether our strength going down the left is his weakness. Chaplin scored so many running onto Davis cutbacks and hitting them first time – which is much easier as a left footer than a right
5

bobble added 11:44 - Oct 7 Ireland should get to 2nd in that group..but wont
0

WhoisJimmyJuan added 14:09 - Oct 7 Perhaps he just plays with better players than he did in the past and is playing with several other players who can do similar things? Jack Clarkes goal on Sunday was one that a number of players might have done on the follow up aa a case in point
2

bluesteal74 added 15:53 - Oct 7 He needs and deserves a goal his work rate is always on it he'll come good he's been unlucky.
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Karlosfandangal added 08:48 - Oct 8 He would have scored against Norwich but Kipre got his boot laces to it first Akpom scored loads of goals as a 10 so as said above do Town use there 10’s differently
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Linkboy13 added 12:14 - Oct 8 The games ive seen we don't seem to be using a number 10 Smzodics is working his heart out for the team but there is very little interaction with Hirst so Hirst is isolated much of the time. Smzodics role reminds me alot of the role Sears played a bit of a work horse do the dirty work stuff.
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