STEPHEN Carr has been forced to pull out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Germany and Cyprus.

The Newcastle full-back, who has not made a Premier League appearance since August 26, had been named in Steve Staunton's initial 25-man squad for the two Group D clashes.

But a recurrence of his ongoing hamstring problem means he has been forced to withdraw from the Ireland squad and return to Tyneside. Bolton defender Andy O'Brien has been called up as cover, although Staunton also has concerns over the fitness of Manchester United defender John O'Shea.

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