Foot injury rules Shane Duffy out of Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier

Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy is set to miss this month's crucial World Cup 2018 qualifier at home to Wales after fracturing his metatarsal at the weekend.

The Derry man broke his fifth metatarsal during Brighton & Hove Albion's 3-0 league defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday and will require surgery to fix the problem.

25-year-old Duffy is set to miss a minimum of six weeks as he recuperates, Brighton boss Chris Hughton confirmed, ruling him out of the meetings with Wales on March 24^th and Iceland four days later.

“He’s fractured his fifth metatarsal and will probably have an operation tomorrow,” Hughton revealed at Brighton's pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's trip to struggling Rotherham United.

“It means we have to adjust and that’s part and parcel of what happens at a football club.

“You have to work around situations and that’s why we have the squad that we have. Shane hasn't been the only one missed through an injury over the course of this season.

“As regards to time, he’s probably looking at a minimum of six weeks. It’s a big loss, particularly at his stage of the season, and also more for him because he’s had a wonderful season so far.”

The news comes as a blow to Martin O'Neill, who has made Duffy a prominent figure in his defence since starring in the Euro 2016 win over Italy in Lille, while there are question marks over the fitness of potential replacement Richard Keogh.

Brighton currently sit second in the English Championship, five points behind leaders Newcastle United with 11 games to play.