Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton is said to have been forced to shelve his plans to commentate on the World Cup due to ill health.

The ex-Republic of Ireland international was due to cover Costa Rica vs. the Netherlands for RTE, but was flown home after suffering from hypertension, The Mirror reports.

RTE reportedly declined to comment on the matter, with a spokesperson only willing to confirm that Houghton was unable to fulfil his duties because of "personal reasons".

George Hamilton was left to cover the quarter-final match by himself.