Stephen Carr and Jonathan Douglas will miss the Republic of Ireland's European qualifier with San Marino on Wednesday because of injury.

Newcastle defender Carr pulled a thigh muscle during this morning's training session in Malahide and retired early. He will return to his club this afternoon.

The 30-year-old, dogged by injury throughout his career, had been in contention for a starting role at right back although he faced a task to dislodge Liverpool's Steve Finnan.

Manager Steve Staunton has called Luton Town defender Kevin Foley - last night named Irish under-21 player of the year - into the squad as cover.

Douglas - never a likely starter - felt tightness in his hamstring on waking this morning and the Leeds midfielder played no part in the session. He will also return to his club.

"The (injury) curse is with us again," Staunton said, "but hopefully we'll get young Kevin Foley in as cover.

"I've a good idea of my first eleven," the manager added.

"We have to change and get the young lads in. There is another batch of injuries and there is nothing we can do about that. The younger lads are getting their chance to show us what they can do."

Staunton refused to say who will partner captain Robbie Keane in attack at Serravalle Stadium. With Kevin Doyle injured, the manager can select from Sunderland's Anthony Stokes, Shane Long of Reading or Wolves' new signing Andy Keogh, all of whom are included in a senior Irish squad for the first time.

But, when pressed on which of the trio caught the eye in training, Staunton merely said they had all looked sharp, adding that Damien Duff, too, could play up front as he has done so in the past.

"We want the three points and any Irish team has to go into a game with a high tempo, but we have to be patient with our passing as well," said Staunton.

"We'll have to keep the high tempo up and our fitness levels should be better than theirs. That should see us through and with the quality we have we should have enough to win the game and that's all I'm concerned about."

Richard Dunne and Paul McShane, both of whom are expected to start in the heart of the Irish defence, shipped knocks playing for their clubs over the weekend but Staunton has no serious concerns over either player's fitness for Wednesday.

The squad departs from Dublin airport this afternoon and will train at the match stadium in the morning ahead of Wednesday's 7.45pm (Irish time) kick-off.