Shane Duffy gives positive update on injury

Shane Duffy has allayed fears that he'll miss any of Ireland's World Cup playoff games in November.

The defender limped out of Brighton's draw with Everton in the 73rd minute after sustaining a groin injury but he's since reassured fans that he's hopeful it isn't too serious. The Derry native is bang on form at present and he's struck up a reliable partnership with Ciaran Clark at the back of the national defence. https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/917497364595773440 https://twitter.com/MrNiallMcGarry/status/917490889794220032 But despite the country sweating over his fitness, Duffy says he's targeting a return as early as Friday for Brighton's trip to West Ham.

"I felt my groin," the 25-year-old told the BBC after the game in which Wayne Rooney struck a 90th minute equaliser for the visitors. "It was probably too sore at the time to continue and I didn't want to make the team any worse because, if I played on, I couldn't play to my full potential. "The physio just said, 'come off in case you make it worse'. "I just felt a tight pull. Hopefully, touch wood, it's not too serious and in a couple of days it will calm down. I'll try my best to get available for Friday."

The first leg of the World Cup playoff take place between November 9 and 11 with the second set of games fixed for November 12-14. Ireland will face either Italy, Denmark, Croatia or Switzerland and the draw will be made on Tuesday to determine their fate.