Trapattoni denies reports he suffered a stroke

IRELAND football boss Giovanni Trapattoni has denied reports he suffered a stroke after undergoing surgery in Italy over Christmas.

A report in the Italian Libero newspaper claimed the stroke occurred during surgery and had caused partial paralysis down the right side of Mr Trapattoni’s body.

In a statement issued through the FAI, the 71-year-old, who is recovering at home in Italy, denied he had suffered a stroke and said he intends to travel to Dublin later this month to announce his squad for the Carling Nations.