AIDEN MCGEADY and Kevin Kilbane are among the players who won’t be featuring in the Republic of Ireland’s Carling Nations Cup opener against Wales at the Aviva Stadium next Tuesday after Giovanni Trapattoni trimmed his squad from 29 to 22 yesterday.

JONATHAN WALTERS’ chances of making his senior debut for Ireland against Norway next week appear to have improved with the news that captain Robbie Keane has been forced to withdraw from the final 25-man squad for the friendly game at the Aviva Stadium.

Stephen Hunt has been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time this season for the friendly against Norway in Dublin on November 17.

DIEGO MARADONA won’t be in Dublin for Ireland’s glamour friendly with Argentina after the Argentina FA’s executive committee last night opted not to renew his contract.

THE FAI has already begun to process the necessary paperwork on a number of UK-born players who may declare for the Republic of Ireland in the near future.

YOU know it is a night for the diehards when a soon-to-be 37-year-old Andrew Cole is the most famous face on show, but Giovanni Trapattoni’s ‘B’ boys did their best to raise their own profiles with a comfortable win over the English visitors.