Ireland receive hugely welcome fitness boost ahead of crucial Austria game

Just the news we were looking for.

Martin O'Neill has confirmed that Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter is fit ahead of Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier clash with Austria. Arter had been struggling with injury in the last few weeks of the Cherries Premier League campaign, with ankle and Achilles problems, before a leg injury that kept him out of their last game of the season. These updates had Irish supporters and management on red alert ahead of the crucial summer World Cup Qualifier clash.

However, O'Neill says that the Bournemouth man will join up with the group upon their return from the USA on Friday. "He was always going to miss the last game of the season, I think he was getting over some things," the manager told reporters ahead of Thursday night's friendly with Mexico. Ireland face Uruguay in a friendly on Sunday at the Aviva, and will then have a week to prepare for the crucial meeting with Austria. This is welcome news for Irish fans, with their central midfield department short of options. Everton man James McCarthy is set to be absent due to a hamstring injury which was confirmed by his club manager Ronald Koeman.

"He will stay (at the club for these Ireland games). He spoke to the manager and they took the decision he will not go to the national team. In my opinion that is a really good decision he needs to recover and get ready for pre-season.”

Arter's return will soften the blow, however.