Ronan Curtis to miss Portsmouth trip to Shrewsbury as Ireland call-up hands Blues potential selection headache

The 24-year-old has been called up to the latest Republic of Ireland squad for their 2022 World Cup qualifiers, ensuring he’ll miss the trip to New Meadow on Saturday, March 27.

Eire play Luxemburg in Dublin the same day – as well has Serbia on Tuesday, March 24, before traveling to hosts Qatar on Tuesday, March 30.

It’s anticipated that Curtis will link up with Stephen Kenny’s side after Pompey’s home game with Ipswich on Saturday.

He’ll then be back and available for selection, barring injury and any Covid restrictions, for the Blues’ home game against Rochdale on Friday, April 2.

Curtis has six caps for his country and started for Ireland in their goalless draw against Bulgaria in November.

Despite failing to score in his past nine outings for Pompey, his absence will be felt given the current injuries to the Blues’ attacking options.

John Marquis, Ellis Harrison and Michael Jacobs all missed Tuesday night’s game at Peterborough through injury.

Harrison is out for the season with a knee injury, while Jacobs is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks with a hamstring problem.

Marquis picked up an ankle injury in the Papa John’s Trophy defeat against Salford.

His return date is as yet unknown.

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