Rep of Ireland v Scotland: Injured Harry Arter out of Irish squad

Harry Arter was handed his Republic of Ireland debut against England last Sunday

Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter has been been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland on Saturday by injury.

Arter, 25, earned his first cap when coming on as a second-half substitute against England last weekend but has picked up hip and groin injuries.

Hull defender Paul McShane limped out of training on Thursday with a toe injury but remains in the squad.

The main selection issue facing the Irish is whether Robbie Keane starts.

Manager Martin O'Neill opted to select Southampton striker Shane Long in place of the Republic's record goalscorer in Glasgow last November although Keane was introduced in the closing stages of the Celtic Park game.

Keane, 34, suffered a family tragedy on Wednesday when a cousin of his died in a work accident in Dublin.

Alan Harris, a father of two, was overcome by fumes when he began inspecting underground pipes in a housing estate in the Portmarnock area of north Dublin.

His brother Stephen was working with him and was knocked unconscious by the noxious gases and is said to be in a serious condition in Beaumont Hospital.

Keane, who has signed a new contract with LA Galaxy, has not spoken about the tragedy and he trained with the Republic squad on Thursday.

The striker's namesake, Republic assistant boss Roy Keane, believes that the LA Galaxy striker will be ready for duty on Saturday despite his bereavement and his recent injury concerns.

Keane has played just 169 minutes of football for Galaxy since the beginning of April because of a groin problem.

"If Robbie starts, he won't let us down," said the Republic assistant.

Roy Keane believes Robbie Keane will be ready to face Scotland on Saturday

"I don't really know the ins and outs (of the tragedy).

"But he has trained today, being the professional he is as you would expect, and as far as he's concerned he's focusing on the game."

Shaun Maloney's late goal earned Scotland a 1-0 win over the Republic at Celtic Park in November.

Following their 1-1 home draw with Poland in March, the Irish probably need to win on Saturday to maintain realistic qualification hopes.

Arter, who starred in Bournemouth's successful Championship campaign, would have been unlikely to start this weekend but his late contribution against England, suggested that he could have deployed at some stage.