O'Shea adds to Irish woes

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is facing a growing injury crisis after defender John O'Shea was ruled out of Tuesday's tough Euro 2012 qualifier in Russia.

O'Shea, 30, had to admit defeat in his battle to shake off calf and hip injuries after training in Malahide on Sunday morning and was not among the squad as it prepared to leave for Moscow.

The news came as a fresh blow to Trapattoni, who last week lost Kevin Kilbane and Shane Long, while Aiden McGeady and Kevin Doyle struggles for full match fitness after lengthy lay-offs, the 72-year-old Italian's problems were mounting as he left Dublin.

Ireland head into the game knowing defeat is simply not an option if they are to keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification from Group B with Russia having established a two-point lead over them as a result of their 1-0 victory over Macedonia on Friday.