Conor McManus to miss Colchester clash after Republic of Ireland Under-21 call-up

McManus was part of the Republic of Ireland squad that finished second in qualification Group D, just edging out Slovakia after the two nations finished level on 20 points.

Ireland needed two big results in their final two group games, and they got them, as they defeated Kazakhstan 4-3, then beat England 3-1, with McManus scoring the goal that put Ireland in front at 2-1.

Those two results saw them finish level on points with Slovakia and, despite having inferior goal difference and goals scored tallies, their head-to-head results – a 2-2 draw in Ireland, followed by a 2-0 away win in Slovakia – ensured Republic of Ireland had the edge in the tie-break.

With England progressing automatically, Ireland now head into a two-legged play-off with fellow second-placed group finishers Finland, who were the clear runners-up in Group A, just four points behind automatic qualifiers Spain.

The Finns won their two games with San Marino with a combined score of 15-0, and put eight past Cyprus in their two meetings as they dominated the lesser nations in their group. But they also showed their quality against the best side in the group as they swapped wins with Spain, losing out 2-1 away from home, but gaining revenge in the return match, beating the Spanish 2-1 at home.

Now, after breezing through a group where the top two sides were the clear class of the field, Finland will take on McManus and Republic of Ireland over two legs with a place in the UEFA Euro finals on the line.

Republic of Ireland will travel to Finland for the first leg on Friday, November 13, before returning back to their Turners Cross home in Cork for the crucial second leg on Tuesday, November 17.

It means McManus will miss Gillingham's away League Two match at Colchester United on Saturday, November 14, and his fitness will be assessed upon his return to the squad late in the week as Gareth Ainsworth's side prepares for a crucial home clash with Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, November 21.

We wish Conor well, and hope he helps his country make it to the Euros. But we also hope he comes back in one piece and ready to return to the side, with important League Two games against Crewe and Salford City later this month.