Steve Sidwell has lost his battle to be fit for Thursday's UEFA Cup second qualifying round clash with FH Hafnarfjordur.

The midfielder sustained a calf strain recently in training and missed the pre-season trip to former club Reading. He also sat out the two games on last week's trip to Spain.

Sidwell had hoped to shake-off the injury ahead of the Hafnarfjordur trip but will not be risked with the new Barclays Premier League season just five days away.

Martin O'Neill told www.avfc.co.uk: "I think Steve will only start doing a bit of work later this week so he will not be fit for Thursday."

Stay tuned to www.avfc.co.uk for all the build up to Thursday's big match.