FAI Chief Executive John Delaney met with headhunters Ray Houghton and Ruud Dokter in Dublin yesterday as the search for a successor to Giovanni Trapattoni kicks into high gear against the background of reports that the Association would ideally like to have the new man installed by November.

The FAI have decided against rushing into the appointment of a successor to Giovanni Trapattoni, meaning Martin O’Neill can no longer be regarded as the certain replacement many had previously believed him to be.

Martin O’Neill will maximise the eligibility rule should he be appointed as the next Ireland manager.

MANCHESTER CITY insist they will be on their guard against Aris Thessaloniki in the first knock-out round of the Europa League knowing the Greek side have already accounted for the trophy’s holders.

Manchester City insist they will be on their guard against Aris Thessaloniki in the first knock-out round of the Europa League knowing the Greek side have already accounted for the trophy’s holders.

FIFTEEN months, a dozen games, 21 goals. Yep, it has been one hell of a ride with the biggest thrill saved for last and enough intrigue away from the field to convert even the most ardent of football-phobes.

GIUSEPPE ROSSI is confident Italy will rediscover their goalscoring touch in tonight’s World Cup qualifier in Georgia.

Giuseppe Rossi is confident Italy will rediscover their goalscoring touch in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier in Georgia.

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi has defended his decision to again snub Sampdoria playmaker Antonio Cassano, selecting eight Juventus players for the Group Eight leaders’ trip to take on Georgia in Tbilisi.

Cyprus 2 Georgia 1

Georgia boss Hector Cuper was left fuming as Robbie Keane’s double snatched a vital World Cup victory for the Republic of Ireland last night.

Republic of Ireland 2 Georgia 1

Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Kelly was handed a first competitive start under Giovanni Trapattoni in tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia.

Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Kelly is confident a growing belief within the camp can help them achieve their World Cup dreams.

GEORGIA landed in Dublin earlier this week minus four players through injury and with half their squad coming out of cold storage due to the winter football hiatus in parts of eastern Europe.

Republic of Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli has admitted a final decision on Paul McShane's fitness will be taken tomorrow.

Robbie Keane is convinced the Republic of Ireland can beat Italy and book their own trip to South Africa 2010 via World Cup qualifying Group Eight at the reigning champions' expense.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has welcomed Robbie Keane’s return to Spurs as good news for the striker and for Ireland, and hailed the Irish captain has one of the best players he has ever managed.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni believes Robbie Keane’s return to Tottenham could be good news for his country.

Georgia captain Kakha Kaladze may not be fit to face Ireland in their upcoming World Cup qualifier.

GEORGIA and Bulgaria are still winless in World Cup qualifying after playing out a goalless draw which leaves both teams already struggling in Group Eight.

Georgia 0 Bulgaria 0

GEORGIA’S return to Tbilisi failed to result in the win they required to kick-start their World Cup qualifying hopes.

Georgia 1 Cyprus 1

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi admits the Azzurri need to raise their game after only scraping past Cyprus in their opening World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

GEORGIA coach Hector Cuper remains hopeful that his side will be able to play the rest of their Group Eight World Cup qualifiers at home in Tbilisi. If they do, Ireland’s hopes of reaching South Africa will have greatly improved.

Georgia 1 Republic of Ireland 2

Stephen Hunt has been drafted into Giovanni Trapattoni’s starting line-up as the Republic of Ireland launch their World Cup qualifying campaign against Georgia today.

HE wasn’t making a big deal about it but Hector Cuper clearly felt that he should not have been sitting in the bowels of a German second division club’s stadium yesterday morning talking to the press.

Giovanni Trapattoni has admitted he would not be happy with four points from the Republic of Ireland’s opening two World Cup qualifiers.

Georgia boss Hector Cuper has insisted his adopted country’s World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland could have been played in Tbilisi.

LIKE a good thriller, the battle for the title in Italy has produced half a dozen twists with one episode left. Those left dangling over the cliff edge after yesterday’s games include both Milan clubs, after Inter could only draw 2-2 at home to Siena and Milan suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Napoli.

AC MILAN vice-president Adriano Galliani says Real Madrid striker Ronaldo will undergo a medical today ahead of his expected transfer to the Serie A club early next week.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has said that Real Madrid striker Ronaldo will undergo a medical tomorrow ahead of his expected transfer to the Serie A club early next week.

THERE is a certain symmetry that the player who got Italy’s World Cup campaign off to a winning start is the same one whose intervention earned them a place in tomorrow’s final against France.

The agent of Bolton defender Ivan Campo claims his client would be keen on a move to former club Real Mallorca.

BARCELONA extended their first division lead to seven points with a 2-0 win over Real Mallorca, as their rivals Real Madrid crashed 2-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Valencia have revealed that Liverpool are interested in their veteran Argentinian defender Mauricio Pellegrino.

NEWCASTLE could be ready to turn to Terry Venables as Bobby Robson’s replacement.

Newcastle could be ready to turn to Terry Venables as chairman Freddy Shepherd attempts to replace Bobby Robson.

MILAN yesterday announced coach Alberto Zaccheroni has resigned.

Inter Milan today announced coach Alberto Zaccheroni has resigned.

Claudio Ranieri has signed a two-year deal with Valencia.