Dunne the only injury doubt for Paris showdown

RICHARD DUNNE is Ireland’s only injury doubt as the squad held their first training session in Malahide yesterday ahead of the World Cup qualifier against France on Saturday.

Manager Brian Kerr reported that the majority of his squad trained at Malahide FC yesterday afternoon in advance of the French game.

The manager said that Alan Quinn, Graham Barrett and Richard Dunne all went for precautionary MRI scans at Cappagh Hospital for knocks they received in their games at the weekend.

“The scans on Quinn and Barrett were clear, however Dunne’s scan showed some damage to a calf muscle”, said Kerr

“John O'Shea, Damien Duff, Roy Keane, Shay Given and Gary Breen did not train today but are expected to take a full part in training tomorrow”, the manager said last night.

The squad will train again this morning before flying out to Paris tomorrow.

Meanwhile the FAI have announced two friendly home fixtures for Brian Kerr's men.

Croatia will visit Lansdowne Road next month on November 16 and will be followed on February 9, 2005 by Portugal.

After Saturday's game in Paris, Ireland's next competitive match will be away to Israel on March 26, meaning the friendly games, against high profile opposition, will offer Brian Kerr two welcome opportunities to assess the progress of his World Cup squad.

FAI chief executive Fran Rooney said: “These friendlies will provide a good challenge for the team in our preparations for the key World Cup qualifiers next year.

“In addition, the games are also part of our ongoing plans to attract quality opposition to Dublin to entertain the fans as well generating revenues to re-invest in the game at all levels,” he said.

Both games kick off at 7.30pm.