Return to current edition
Monday, July 27, 2009
STEPHEN IRELAND will not be in the Irish squad for the forthcoming friendly against Australia which manager Giovanni Trapattoni will unveil in Limerick on Wednesday.
Hopes had been rising that the Manchester City player was ready to resume his international career but, even though a comeback has still not been ruled out, it appears that the game in Thomond Park on August 12 has come too soon.
Not for the first time, Trapattoni knows that he will have to field questions at his press conference on Wednesday about what he knows of Ireland’s latest intentions, especially with the World Cup qualifier away to Cyprus in September drawing ever closer.
However, striker Kevin Doyle has given the manager a boost by confirming that he will definitely be fit for that game, after under-going a hernia operation in Germany last
Tuesday. Doyle also expects to be available for the friendly against Australia next month.
"There were no problems with the operation," said the Wolves signing. "I should be back in training in 10 days’ time."
Meanwhile, a slimmed-down Andy Reid says that he is still ready and waiting for an Ireland call-up should Giovanni Trapattoni decide to look again to the Sunderland midfielder.
Says Reid, who claims he has lost over a stone in weight on the back of a personal training regime during the close season: "This is a World Cup season and I want to be involved. I’m fitter now than I’ve ever been before. I have said it before – I am always available to play for Ireland. I have no problem about coming back."
© Examiner Publications (Cork) Limited, City Quarter, Lapps Quay, Cork. Registered in Ireland: 73385.