Best Set To Miss Ireland Games & Best Could Be Out Of Euro 2012 Play-offs Due To Injury And Child Birth.

Newcastle striker Leon Best is set to miss the Republic of Ireland's crucial Euro 2012 play-off games against Estonia and the Magpies forward was substituted during Saturday's win over Everton and has to since complained of groin and toe problems.

The 25-year-old was only named in Giovanni Trapattoni's squad last Friday after fitness doubts over West Brom striker Shane Long and he will join up with his team-mates in Ireland on Monday to be assessed by the medical team on the newcastle boss Alan Pardew feels it is the birth of his child that may be the deciding factor.

Pardew said: Leon's wife is imminent and they are in discussions to he is desperate to play don't get me wrong and we have spoken to the manager and spoken to the medical team about maybe a bit of compassion in terms of him staying about today because she's that close to we will see and the ireland face Estonia after finishing second in Group B and have a chance to reach their first major tournament since World Cup 2002 to the trapattoni has had other injury problems to contend with after Portsmouth midfielder Liam Lawrence was withdrawn from the squad with an ankle ligament injury.