Seamus Coleman and Will Smallbone ruled out of Republic of Ireland squad

Seamus Coleman and Will Smallbone have been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's upcoming UEFA Nations League matches with Finland and Greece due to injury.

Coleman suffered the leg injury in the 2-0 defeat to England last month and has not featured for his club Everton since.

The Ireland captain will not be named in the squad this morning for the games at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Thursday, 10 October and Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium the following Sunday.

Smallbone has a hamstring complaint and also hasn’t played any club minutes with Southampton since the last international window.

He did start both games at the Aviva Stadium, playing 90 minutes in the clash with Greece.

Despite the setback, Smallbone's former Southampton team-mate Shane Long sees a big future for the youngster in a green shirt.

"I played with Will at Southampton," said the ex-Ireland striker during RTÉ's Champions League coverage on Wednesday night.

"He hasn't really hit the scene big time with Ireland. Unbelievable player, technically gifted, runs the midfield. I think he just needs a run of games in midfield and grow into the Ireland set-up."

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is due to name his squad at lunchtime.

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