Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has been left with a major defensive headache ahead of his team's World Cup qualifier against Holland. McCarthy was hit with the news that Kenny Cunningham won't be fit to take his place in the heart of the Irish defence, which will cause big problems.

Cunningham was hoping to be fit for the start of the new English campaign after undergoing groin surgery in June. But he failed to meet his target as his injury in not responding as well as hoped.

He has consequently been omitted from Mick McCarthy's preliminary 30-strong squad, announced today - as has Leeds' Stephen McPhail, another who had been hoping to recover from injury in time.

Kenny said: "I met with specialist to discuss the injury and he told me what I already felt deep down. There is no great problem but my groin area and abdomen need a bit more time to recover."

The problem leaves Ireland bare at the back and McCarthy will be sitting back over the weekend hoping that the players that he has left will get games for their respective clubs - but this is not a certainty.

Gary Breen is not thought to be first choice at Coventry and will have a massive fight on his hands to figure for Gordon Strachan's side against Middlesbrough.

Phil Babb has made good progress since his move to Sporting Lisbon but he is also doubtful to figure in their opening games of the season. Babb will come into consideration for a place in the Sporting team when the Champions League starts but that will be too late for Ireland.

What's left is Richard Dunne, who refused a move to Wimbledon in favour of fighting for his place with Everton. If the Goodison Park club were willing to sell him he is not in their plans and could be watching football from the sidelines for a very long time.

McCarthy should have used the US Cup to bring through more defenders. Stoke's Colin Clarke could have done with the experience of playing for the senior side but McCarthy overlooked him.

Clarke is the future of the Irish defence along with Manchester United's John O'Shea and both should be getting games whenever the chance arises.

Squad:
Goalkeepers - Alan Kelly (Blackburn), Shay Given (Newcastle), Dean Kiely (Charlton)
Defenders - Stephen Carr (Tottenham), Gary Kelly and Ian Harte (Leeds), Steve Staunton (Liverpool), Gary Breen (Coventry), Richie Dunne (Everton), Phil Babb (Sporting Lisbon), Terry Phelan (Fulham), Paul Butler (Sunderland), Curtis Fleming (M'brough)
Midfielders - Roy Keane (Man Utd), Mark Kinsella (Charlton), Steve Finnan (Fulham), Jason McAteer (Blackburn), Mark Kennedy (Man City), Kevin Kilbane (Sunderland), Damien Duff (Blackburn), Lee Carsley (Blackburn), Graham Kavanagh (Stoke), Gareth Farrelly (Bolton), Rory Delap (Derby County), Matt Holland (Ipswich)
Strikers - Niall Quinn (Sunderland), Keith O'Neill (M'brough), David Connolly (Feyenoord), Robbie Keane (Inter Milan), Dominic Foley (Watford)