Ireland duo ruled out as Heimir Hallgrimsson prepares to reveal squad for Nations League

Ireland are preparing for an away double header against Finland and Greece in the Nations League

Seamus Coleman and Will Smallbone have been ruled out of Ireland’s Nations League double-header away to Finland and Greece.

But Heimir Hallgrimsson has been boosted by Josh Cullen, Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby’s return to action ahead of today’s squad announcement.

Skipper Coleman, 35, hasn’t played for Everton since limping out of last month’s defeat to England at Aviva Stadium - and this international window comes too soon.

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Smallbone also hasn’t featured for Southampton since his involvement in the September defeats to England and Greece.

He has a hamstring injury, although Saints boss Russell Martin had not initially ruled Smallbone out of playing some part against Arsenal this Saturday.

But, at the same time, the Southampton manager admitted it would be more beneficial for the midfielder to rest up during the international window.

And Smallbone has now lost that fitness battle, with Hallgrimsson forced to leave him out of his squad later today having been informed he won’t be available.

But Cullen has told the new Ireland boss that he is ready to rock for this double-header.

The Burnley midfielder missed the new Ireland manager’s first two games in charge - defeats to England and Greece last month - due to injury.

But having returned to the Clarets side of late, he is expected to be named in Hallgrimsson’s squad when it is revealed at lunchtime.

The Ireland players will gather in Dublin this Sunday evening ahead of Monday’s first training session for the Finland and Greece away double-header.

Ireland, badly bruised after two disappointing defeats, will travel to Helsinki on Tuesday before facing the Finns at the Olympic Stadium next Thursday night.

After that, they move straight onto Athens to play familiar foes Greece at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium - home of Greek giants Olympiacos - on Sunday week.

But Cullen has put his injury issue behind him and has started Burnley’s last three games against Plymouth, Oxford United and Portsmouth, in a boost for Hallgrimsson.

“It was difficult,” said Cullen. “It was a little niggle that I was carrying from after the first game of the season at Luton and it wasn’t really getting any better.

“So I had to take a spell out to make sure I got it right and it didn’t get any worse and I’ve done that now.

“I got a bit of game time at Leeds, I got my first start against Portsmouth and last weekend felt better again.

“Hopefully I’m getting back to somewhere near 100 percent.

“Saying that, I don’t think you’re ever at 100 percent when you’re playing this many games as you do in the Championship, but I’m getting there and feeling good.”

Sunderland’s Alan Browne and West Brom’s Jayson Molumby are back in the frame for selection today after overcoming ankle and calf injuries respectively.

Liam Scales and Adam Idah will hope to put Celtic’s Champions League horror show behind them when they play Ross County this Sunday

Scales started in Tuesday’s 7-1 drubbing away to German giants Borussia Dortmund, while Idah came off the bench in the 63rd minute.

Idah had hit form going into that haunting European experience, scoring four goals in three games against St Johnstone, Falkirk and Slovan Bratislava.

And Celtic legend Stiliyan Petrov believes Cork man Idah, 23, can justify his near £10m transfer fee having joined permanently from Norwich City after a successful loan.

Petrov told gambling.com: “Idah is doing really nicely now - he's more relaxed and it seems like he's got the quality of a £10m player."

“He does make a big difference, and with Matt O’Riley leaving I think he has filled his boots nicely and started his Celtic career really well."

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