Republic of Ireland player misses Finland match after positive Covid-19 test

Image source, Inpho

Image caption, Stephen Kenny has had to deal with a series of disruptions to his Republic of Ireland squad

A Republic of Ireland player has been ruled out of Wednesday's Nations League game in Finland after a third Covid-19 test confirmed that he had the virus.

The unnamed player, who had initially tested positive before a negative result in a second test on Monday, must now isolate for 10 days.

The FAI said no members of the squad or the backroom team have been identified as close contacts of the player.

Team boss Stephen Kenny has opted not to call up any late replacements.

A statement issued late on Monday night said: "The FAI can confirm that the player who initially tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday night is now out of the Ireland squad for the game in Finland, after the second of two tests on Monday produced a positive result."

The Republic squad leave Dublin on Tuesday morning for the match in Helsinki's Olympic Stadium.

Another Republic player missed Sunday's draw with Wales after a positive test.

Four other squad members - John Egan, Callum Robinson, Callum O'Dowda and Alan Browne - who were close contacts, also missed the Nations League game at the Aviva Stadium.

Three days earlier Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah had sat out the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final in Slovakia after being identified as close contacts of a backroom staff member who it was later discovered had had a false positive test.