As D-Day looms for the Republic of Ireland and their bid to progress to France 2016, Roy Keane gave an injury update or rather a lack thereof yesterday.

While Keane’s comments about players picking up “ironic” or timely injuries hit the headlines, his comments regarding players filling in to do a job were quite telling, and given the raft of injuries, it is likely to be a key factor in whether Ireland feature in back-to-back European championships.

“We’ve had situations where players obviously, no doubt have been injured, and we’ve asked lads to come in and do a job, It only seems like yesterday that [David] Meyler came in and played a right-back in Germany, and all the players available to us, whatever jobs we ask them to do, they will give it their best.” – Keane said.

But Martin O’Neill has gone one better this evening and ruled Shane Long out of Friday’s make-or-break game. Whether John O’Shea or Long will be fit for the second-leg remain a mystery.

Shane Long has been ruled out of Friday's first-leg play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. pic.twitter.com/9CqIlktTpD — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 11, 2015

Those stepping into the void left by the injured and suspended must head Keane’s comments and step-in and perform.

With Jon Walters and Shane Long both out of the first-leg, the responsibility of goal scoring falls to Ipswich’s Daryl Murphy and LA Galaxy’s Robbie Keane. O’Neill’s propensity to drop Wes Hoolahan for away games, means it is likely that Keane and Murphy will start in Zenica.

Murphy started in Ireland’s historic win over World Cup holders Germany, back in October, but was ineffectual leading the line and was subbed off on 70 minutes. Keane too has struggled for goals in the green of Ireland, having only scored against minnows Gibraltar throughout Euro 2016 qualification.

Goals will be a primary concern for O’Neill, with Ireland only scoring more goals in qualifying than Georgia and Gibraltar, but what Ireland lack up-front is helped by a resolute defence. The Republic conceded just seven goals during qualification, two less than table toppers Germany.

If there is pressure on Murphy to do a job up-front there will be equal expectation on whoever steps into the central-defensive berth left vacant by the suspended John O’Shea. Marc Wilson, Ciaran Clark and Richard Keogh have all featured for O’Neill at centre-back, but whatever the pairing, a clean sheet in Bosnia will go a long way to securing a place in France next Summer.

Predicted Lineup

Darren Randolph

Seamus Coleman

Richard Keogh

Ciaran Clark

Robbie Brady

James McClean

James McCarthy

Glenn Whelan

Jeff Hendrick

Robbie Keane

Daryl Murphy