Derrick Williams has been withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of their Nations League fixture with Finland on Wednesday.

Williams was included in the squad for Thursday’s Euro 2020 play-off defeat in Slovakia, but was among those absent from the Nations League draw with Wales on Sunday afternoon.

No reason has been given for his withdrawal at this stage.

An FAI statement ahead of the game revealed that one unnamed player had tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, having recorded a negative test on Monday, with four other members of the squad having to be removed for the Wales fixture having been identified as close contacts.

Williams, along with John Egan, Callum O’Dowda, Callum Robinson and Alan Browne were missing from the squad for the 0-0 draw, as were David McGoldrick and James McCarthy, though their absence was revealed to be owing to injury.

All seven haven't been named in the updated squad list which was published on Sunday night.

Ireland have been beset by unavailability before, and during, the camp, through injury and Covid-related issues, with Rovers captain Darragh Lenihan having pulled out with a groin injury last week.

Dara O’Shea (West Brom), Jason Knight (Derby County), Ryan Manning (QPR) and Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) have been added to the squad, while Adam Idah (Norwich City) has rejoined the group having missed the previous two matches, for the game in Finland on Wednesday night.

An FAI statement ahead of the Wales game read: “Stephen Kenny’s Ireland squad has received one positive COVID-19 test result ahead of today’s Nations League game against Wales at the Aviva Stadium, after the latest round of UEFA testing (October 11).

“A player, who cannot be named at this time, tested positive on Friday after a negative test on Monday but his case is not related in any way to that of the backroom team member who tested positive on Monday last.

“Talks with the HSE late last night identified four other players as close contacts of this positive case and they have been stood down from the matchday squad for today’s game against Wales.”

Williams, aged 27, has enjoyed an impressive start to the season for Rovers, helping Tony Mowbray’s side to three consecutive clean sheets which helped earn him a first call-up to the national squad in almost a year.

Burnley defender Kevin Long had to be substituted early on in the goalless draw with Wales, but remains with the squad, as does James McClean after his red card.

“We lost three centre halves, two on the morning of the game,” Kenny said after the game.

“Losing a lot of players on the day of the game and the team changing so much was a lot for the players to take in, really, so they showed what they’re made of and their character by going out and putting in a good performance.

“Credit to the players for the way they responded.

“No doubt, it has been difficult, but it all pales into insignificance (when compared to) the players themselves, really. For one of the players to get news like that and the other players to be in close contact, they all feel perfectly healthy, they all feel they could have played today – and the implications of that for them, that can be difficult for them to deal with.

“It was close to midnight when we found out last night (Saturday), so we had to change a lot of stuff today. It was an early match, a 2pm match, so we were leaving the hotel early enough, so it all had to be sorted out before breakfast. 

“The players’ attitude was just brilliant. They’re a really good group and they showed their professionalism by performing to the level that they did.

“Everyone who played today acquitted themselves very well.”