Hamstring injury rules Callum Robinson out of French Euro 2024 qualifier in Dublin

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny will be without Callum Robinson for the opening Euro 2024 qualifier against France in Dublin.

The Cardiff City forward, who has five goals in the EFL Championship this season, suffered a grade 2 hamstring tear in Friday's 1-0 victory over Reading at the Cardiff City Stadium.

He's not due to return until April, thus ruling him out of the visit of the World Cup finalists next month, as well as a friendly with friendly with Latvia five days earlier.

"This is not good news," said Cardiff manager Sabri Lamouchi, who is set to be without the 28-year-old for at least five games.

"He was doing well by scoring and with assists, he was our best scorer and you know how difficult it is to score, especially for us this year.

"So we need to find a solution. We cannot complain.

"I am disappointed for him he worked so hard to be great and help the team. We will miss him."

Robinson scored his last international goal in November's tame 1-0 friendly victory over Malta at the Ta' Qali Stadium. The goal was his first in green in a year.

Elsewhere Callum O'Dowda - a teammate of Robinson's at Cardiff - is expected to be fit for the club's meeting with Norwich this weekend. The defender had to come off against Reading but the knock was less severe than first thought.

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