Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has released seven players from his squad for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Austria.

The former Celtic and Sunderland boss initially named a 35-man party for the match in Vienna, but he has now trimmed that squad down, with Everton midfielder James McCarthy one of the more notable absentees.

McCarthy has failed to recover from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the Toffees 5-0 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend and he will now return to Merseyside to receive further treatment.

Full-backs Stephen Ward and Cyrus Christie, as well as midfielder Stephen Quinn, have also been omitted from the squad due to injuries, while Barnsley ace Conor Hourihane and goalkeepers Ian Lawlor and Danny Rogers have also been left out.

A statement on the Football Association of Ireland website also confirmed that other unnamed players will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s match.

Dundalk duo Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan have retained their places in the squad however, thanks to some impressive displays at club level, and they could both make their international debuts at the Ernst Happel Stadium.

Ireland are currently second in Group D, level on points with leaders Serbia, while Austria are a further three points off the pace in fourth.

The Green Army are available at 3.80 to secure a victory in Saturday’s match, while the hosts are priced at 2.00 and the draw is on offer at 3.50.