Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, November 28
Ireland counting injury cost
ESPNscrum Staff
November 24, 2010
Brian O'Driscoll fights for possession of the ball, Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, November 20, 2010
Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll is nursing a shoulder problem © Getty Images
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Ireland have opted to delay naming their team to face Argentina until Friday due to a mounting injury list in the wake of last weekend's loss to New Zealand.

Manager Paul McNaughton has added flankers David Wallace and Stephen Ferris to the list of walking wounded following the 38-18 loss, with Argentina set to provide another hugely physical examination at the new Lansdowne Road on Sunday.

Wallace and Ferris picked up Achilles and calf injuries respectively but are expected to be fit, while captain Brian O'Driscoll is also in line to recover from a shoulder problem in time to play. Gordon D'Arcy and Tommy Bowe are struggling with calf strains but should also be firing come kick-off.

"We had a few guys sitting out today's session - David Wallace, Gordon D'Arcy, Stephen Ferris and Tommy Bowe," McNaughton said. "They have various knocks while some other guys, such as Brian O'Driscoll and Damien Varley, have done modified non-contact work.

"We expect Brian to be OK. He got a bruise on his AC joint, but he trained this morning, though it was not a full contact session. All of those players are under consideration for selection and we don't anticipate any problem with them.

"We'll wait until Friday to name the team because it's a Sunday game. We just need more time to think and also the injuries should be clarified by then. We wouldn't take a risk on any player's fitness. You can't send out anyone who is 90% fit and hope for the best."

Ireland have already lost the services of Leinster duo Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald due to knee injuries while Ulster hooker Rory Best is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines with a fractured cheekbone.

As a result of their injury concerns, Leinster lock Leo Cullen, Munster prop Tony Buckley, Leicester fullback Geordan Murphy and Munster hooker Damien Varley have been added to the squad. Connacht back-row John Muldoon and veteran Munster prop John Hayes have been released back to their provinces.

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