A hamstring injury has forced Damien Duff out of the Republic of Ireland's qualifying games against Bulgaria and Italy.
 
The winger, who has been capped 72 times, picked up the injury during training yesterday.  Tests on Thursday morning showed a bleed in the muscle, and the Newcastle United winger could be out of action for up to ten days.
 
The 30-year-old returned to his club for treatment Thursday and Reading's Stephen Hunt will take his place for the game against Bulgaria in Croke Park.