STEPHEN KENNY has confirmed that Darren Randolph will miss Ireland's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The West Ham goalkeeper, who has played in all eight of the games Kenny has taken charge in, will miss out due to a combination of a hip injury and a groin problem
Speaking on Thursday night, Kenny said: "He’s just unfortunate to have that period of injury, not been quite able to address it. He came back and had greater problems with it."
Kenny said that Caoimhín Kelleher is now the favourite to start in goal against Serbia, though the young Cork man is facing injury problems of his own at the minute.
“He’s due back training at the weekend of next week. Fingers crossed, he comes through okay because he’s got great potential. He was first class in all five games he played for Liverpool and I had him for 10 of my U21 games.”
After that, Ireland's options are even younger again, with 18-year-old Gavin Bazunu seemingly being Ireland's third choice keeper for these games.
Speaking of the young Man City player (who is currently on loan at Rochdale), Kenny said: "
“We really like Gavin Bazunu. He’s very young but has been on loan at Rochdale from Manchester City and is having a really good season."
Randolph has been an incredible servant to Irish football over the past number of years, but sadly time is not on the 33-year-old's side.
Though he performed at a high level the last time he togged out for Ireland, it may be time for Stephen Kenny to keep one eye on a long-term replacement.
