Midfield maestreo Danny Mandroiu (hip) and trusty left-back Darragh Leahy (ankle) will both miss Bohemians FAI Cup quarter-final clash with Crumlin United on Monday night (8 pm).
Both men played a huge part in the Republic of Ireland's back-to-back victories in the recent UEFA under-21 European Championship qualifiers against Armenia and Sweden.
Unfortunately for Keith Long, the duo returned injured and missed the Premier Division defeat to Waterford in the SSE Airtricity League last Friday night, which meant the Gypsies boss had to field a young and inexperienced team.
"We're at the business end of the season when results matter more than development," said Long. "But with the injuries we have at the moment, our hand was forced."
18-year-old Ross Tierney, 17-year-old Dawson Devoy, making his full debut, and 19-year-old Ryan Graydon were all handed starts.
The average age of the starting Bohs team was 21½ and if you take captain Derek Pender out, it was 20½.
"Our defending for the goals wasn't good enough but I was proud of how many of the lads did," added Long.
"A lot of the players unavailable are across midfield. It's a big step-up from U19s to first-team football and it takes players a while to adapt but the lads who have played did very well.
"Ross has come in a few times and he's done very well for us and Dawson is only a boy at 17 but did well and this will stand to him.
"They tired a bit towards the end but that is to be expected. They are not yet used to the tempo and intensity of first-team football.
"Scott Allardice was excellent too. He's had to be patient to get a chance in the team but he showed what he is capable of on Friday."
Bohemians will also be without Keith Buckley (hamstring), Keith Ward (knee) and Conor Levingston (groin) who join long term absentees Dinny Corcoran (ankle) and Cristian Magerusan (cruciate) on the sidelines.
The Leinster Senior League club have home advantage in the last-eight tie so will be shacked up temporarily at the home of St Patrick's Athletic, Richmond Park.
Crumlin have knocked out Malahide United and Lucan United en route to this round and have a number of former League of Ireland players within their ranks.
Forwards Dean Kelly and Conor Murphy and midfielder Craig Walsh have donned the black and red Gypsy stripes in the past.
Skipper Thomas Hyland is formerly of Shamrock Rovers while John Sheridan has had spells with Galway United and Bray Wanderers.
Robbie Brady’s brothers Liam and Gareth could also feature for manager Martin Loughran.
They may be an amateur side but Long is pretty wary of the quality throughout.
"Crumlin have good players," said Long. "They would more than hold their own in the First Division if not more. They're a settled team who will fancy having a go at us.
"We are favourites and rightly so. It is a tie we are expected to win. But we have to give Crumlin the respect you give every team as they do have players who can hurt you. Our performance has to be right.
"It's a cup quarter-final. We all want to progress. Crumlin will have a big support out for them and it's vitally important that we bring a big crowd over behind us from the start as well."
