Blues skipper Dara O’Shea hasn't travelled with the Republic of Ireland squad to Serbia for tomorrow’s Nations League tie against Israel as his wife is due to give birth, but could still feature in the game.

O’Shea, 27 has been stand-in captain for the Boys in Green during this international break in which they have had two highly controversial fixtures against Israel, winning the first of them 3-0 in Hungary last week.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed that O’Shea, who has won 48 caps, didn't travel to Serbia with his teammates but says the central defender still hopes to be involved.

“The only player missing is Dara O’Shea,” the Icelander said. “He stayed behind in London as his wife is due to have a baby.

“He said ‘I’m going to [go back for the birth of] the baby and come back, but obviously we have priorities in life and he one that has the highest priority is your family, is a new life coming

“Hopefully that will be a good centre-back for Ireland in 16 years, whether for the women's or the men's team I don’t know.

“We're just taking that situation an hour by hour, but his intention is to come and be with us in the game. But like I said, we know priorities in life and this is the the biggest one.”

Hallgrimsson was speaking at a chaotic press conference which was cut short after Israeli journalists asked him questions regarding the Flydubai suspected terrorist incident and made allegations that members of the Irish team had made racist comments during last week’s match.

Prior to that, the Irish manager said he believes coming through a tough couple of weeks has brought the Irish squad, which also includes on-loan Town winger Chieo Ogbene, closer as a group.

“Surviving this camp, coming out of it together as one would be a massive win for me,” he stated. “That is coming from my heart.

“Everything this team has gone through, the criticism, surviving as a group after this game would be a big win for me and the group and the FAI. A big, big win, if we get through this undamaged.

“From the coach, obviously by having another three points would be more probably than I could have asked for before the camp, knowing what was to come.

“The most pleasing thing has been the togetherness and what they have done for each other. They have done it with respect for each other. This bond of brothers will be stronger than others. All the obstacles we face in the future will be less.

“For example, Dara O’Shea said to me before the game [about his wife giving birth] and it was solved in five minutes. Normally they would have been stressed and anxious but for us it was a simple problem. We deal with it and move on.

“This camp, when we look back, will be the moment we grew the most, when we stepped up as leaders and stuck together.”

In addition to last week’s win against Israel, Ireland were beaten 1-0 in Kosovo in their opening game of the break, then drew 2-2 with Austria in Dublin in midweek, O’Shea skippering and playing the full 90 minutes in all three matches.

Photo: Reuters