Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw has allayed fears that skipper Katie McCabe could be a doubt for the World Cup.
The 27-year-old Ireland captain was named in a 27-strong squad for next month’s double-header against world champions the United States on Friday, less than two days after leaving Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich on crutches and wearing a protective boot on her injured foot.
Announcing her squad, Pauw told a press conference: “We’re waiting on the final say of the doctor, but her injury is clear and the scan is clear. It looks like a very bad bruise of the bone.
“The big relief is that it’s not a long-term injury, it’s a matter of if she can play against the USA. There is no fear for the World Cup.”
McCabe will be joined in the squad by three players who have received first senior call-ups; Lewes goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse, Peamount United defender Tara O’Hanlon and Shamrock Rovers attacker Alannah McEvoy.
Whitehouse, who came through the US college system, had spells with Tottenham, Birmingham and Bristol City before arriving at Lewes last year, while both O’Hanlon and McEvoy have represented Ireland at Under-16, U17 and U19 level.
However, Niamh Fahey, Chloe Mustaki, Ellen Molloy, Jess Ziu and Leanne Kiernan have been ruled out by injury, while Megan Campbell is unavailable.
The Republic will face the US twice in four days with the first game taking place at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on April 8 and the second the following Tuesday at CITYPARK in St Louis, Missouri.
Pauw’s side open their World Cup campaign against co-hosts Australia at Stadium Australia in Sydney on July 20.
Squad: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes), Harriet Scott (Birmingham), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Louise Quinn (Birmingham), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Tara O’Hanlon (Peamount United), Aine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton), Jamie Finn (Birmingham), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Roma McLaughlin (Fortuna Hjorring), Heather Payne (Florida State University), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Alannah McEvoy (Shamrock Rovers).