Givens opts for Banfield

DON GIVENS is hoping some of the Arsenal magic will rub off on his Republic of Ireland U-21 squad after naming Highbury youth coach Neil Banfield as his assistant.

U-21 coach Givens persuaded Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and academy chief Liam Brady that it would be good experience for Banfield as well as the Gunners, after the Highbury duo initially turned down his request.

“I have worked with Neil before and he is a very good coach,” said Givens, whose team take on Poland in today’s friendly (3.30pm ko).

“I had a meeting with Arsene Wenger and Liam Brady and initially their response was ‘no’ because he will be missing at certain times, but I put my case to them and they can see it will be good experience for Neil and eventually they agreed to it, so I am delighted.”

Givens has lost five players but called up five replacements, and his team will be captained today by Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly.

Missing from the original squad are Stephen Paisley, Paul Keegan, Jonathan Walters, Liam Kearney and Patrick Kohlmann. Called in are Ian Simpemba of Wycombe, Arsenal’s Patrick Cregg, and eircom league duo Sean Dillon of Longford and Bohs’ Stephen Ward.

“You have to look at the drop-out as a positive thing because it means there is a chance for somebody else,” added Givens.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U-21’s: Henderson (Aston Villa); Kelly (Tottenham), McCarthy (Man City), Capper (Scarborough), Potter (Liverpool), Whelan (Man City), Thornton (Sunderland), Flood (Man City), Doyle (Cork), Elliott (Man City), Kohlmann (Borussia Dortmund).