Ireland exonerated by Staunton

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has exonerated Stephen Ireland of any blame after an U21 mix-up this week by including the rising star in his brave new world.

Manchester City midfielder Ireland is part of the 23-man squad to face Sweden in a friendly at Lansdowne Road on March 1.

That will undoubtedly come as a relief to Ireland who feared he may have thrown his budding international career into jeopardy following a situation that failed to endear him to U-21 coach Don Givens.

Givens was apparently waiting for Ireland at Heathrow on Monday with a ticket for the 19-year-old who had been named in the squad for this week’s Madeira International Tournament.

However, Ireland - who had been given special dispensation by City boss Stuart Pearce to play in the opening game only - made Givens aware he would not be travelling due to a groin injury at the very last moment.

Ireland has since issued profuse apologies, claiming the whole saga was “a mess” and hoping his chances of a further call-up had not been harmed.

That has clearly been enough for Staunton, who confirmed: “It is something for Don to look at.

“From his aspect, one phone call and it would have been solved, but it was a mis-understanding. I have no problems with it at all, it was a genuine mistake. But he wants to play and that’s good enough for me.”