Injury rules McClean out

Sunderland winger James McClean has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier with Germany.

McClean has undergone a scan that revealed a grade one hip flexor strain which may also keep him out of Tuesday's game with the Faroe Islands. He will remain with his club for further treatment ahead of a final decision on his involvement in the second of the two games. Meanwhile, Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan and Leicester defender Sean St Ledger are almost certain to miss both games after they picked up injuries over the weekend.

Whelan injured his hamstring in Stoke's 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, while St Ledger incurred a similar problem in the Foxes' 2-0 win over Bristol City on Saturday. Both players will undergo a further scan before Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni decides whether to take a chance on them.