Trapattoni names squad for qualifiers
by JP Lonergan, 28 August 2008
Giovanni Trapattoni has named a 22-man squad for the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Montenegro in early September, but the Italian has no Damien Duff to work with.
Duff injured his groin in Newcastle’s 1-0 Premier League win over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday and will be out for up to three weeks in what is a big blow for Trapattoni and Ireland.
The manager can welcome Sunderland defender Paul McShane back into his squad after the former Manchester United man missed the friendly in Norway last week, but there is again no place for Coventry City striker Clinton Morrison.
“It is a shame that we have lost Damien Duff for the two opening qualifiers.” Trapattoni lamented on Thursday.
“He started very well and he is a very important player in the Irish squad.”
Meanwhile, Trapattoni is pleased that the Georgia game will be played in Mainz in Germany amid the unrest in Georgia, the Italian adding: “I am happy that Fifa and the Georgian Football Federation have made a decision to play the game against Georgia in a neutral venue.
“We understand that it was a difficult decision to make but feel it was the correct one given the need to prioritise the safety of the players and fans.”
Republic of Ireland Squad:
Goalkeepers: Given (Newcastle), Kiely (West Brom).
Defenders: Bruce (Ipswich), Delaney (QPR), Dunne (Manchester City), Finnan (Liverpool), Kelly (Birmingham), Kilbane (Wigan), J O’Brien (Bolton), O’Shea (Manchester United), McShane (Sunderland).
Midfielders: S Hunt (Reading), McGeady (Celtic), Miller (Sunderland), A Reid (Sunderland), S Reid (Blackburn), Whelan (Stoke).
Strikers: K Doyle (Reading), Keane (Liverpool), Keogh (Wolves), Long (Reading), Murphy (Sunderland).
