Some good news on the Jon Walters front ahead of the Ireland friendlies

Jon Walters will be available for Slovakia on Tuesday.

The Stoke player has had to pull out of the Republic of Ireland squad – temporarily – because of a hamstring injury and has returned to the UK for treatment. Martin O’Neill has since confirmed, however, that he thinks the Irish player of the year will be at the Aviva to watch the Switzerland game on Friday night and that he expects him to be available for the second friendly in Dublin next week. "I think he will be fit for Tuesday," the manager said of his prized Stoke attacker. "He felt it maybe might just be best to go home for a day or two. I think he might be back for Friday night to watch the game but I think he will be available for Tuesday. "Robbie Keane sat out training again. It's no real problem. He will be okay and I think available for the two games." Jeff Hendrick has had no such luck. The Derby midfielder has had to pull out completely with a shoulder injury whilst Harry Arter has already withdrawn too. O'Neill didn't take the opportunity to call-up Jack Byrne to the senior squad though despite the 19-year-old training Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with the first team. The Derry man said that he demoted Byrne for "boasting the other day".