Givens steps into the breach

DON GIVENS yesterday said it was important that Ireland recovered winning ways in the friendly match against Greece in Athens in two weeks and for that reason he hoped to select a full-strength team.

"This is not the time for experimentation" said Ireland's U21 team manager who has agreed to take control of the senior squad for this one match while the FAI seek a replacement for Mick McCarthy.

"For that reason I do not expect to announce a squad that will differ in any great way from the squad that has been on duty in our most recent matches. After losing now to Russia and Switzerland, the result is of too much importance for me to consider promoting a handful of players from the U21 squad."