Matt Doherty ruled out of Northern Ireland and Denmark games with facial injury

Matt Doherty has become the latest player to be ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s international double-header with Northern Ireland and Denmark through injury.

The right-back was the only member of the squad not to appear for training in Dublin on Monday after sustaining a facial injury during Wolverhampton Wanderers’ game with Arsenal on Sunday.

26-year-old Doherty remained at his club for scans and the FAI confirmed on Wednesday morning that the defender has been ruled out of both games.

The full extent of Doherty’s injury is not yet known but it will come as a blow for the Dubliner, who impressed in his first competitive caps against the Danes and Wales last month.

The blow will be softened somewhat for Martin O'Neill by the return from injury of captain Seamus Coleman, while Cyrus Christie continues to perform regularly for Fulham.

Defender Derrick Williams of Blackburn Rovers and Southampton striker Shane Long were omitted from the 28-man final squad due to hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

The Republic of Ireland face Northern Ireland in a friendly on Thursday at the Aviva Stadium before travelling to Aarhus for their final UEFA Nations League game against Denmark.