Relief as Duff available for Bulgaria clash

DAMIEN DUFF last night put Ireland’s concerns at rest when he reported to play in Wednesday’s challenge game against Bulgaria at Lansdowne Road.

Alarm bells ran in the Irish camp when Duff was not named in the Chelsea squad for their opening Premiership game of the season against Manchester United.

His absence was all the more puzzling because of the absence of his main opponent for the left wing slot in the Stamford Bridge side - Dutchman Arjen Robben, who was signed this summer. Robben is on Olympic Games duty with the Netherlands.