Finnan losing fitness battle

LIVERPOOL’S Steve Finnan yesterday appeared to be fighting a losing battle to be fit for the Republic of Ireland’s crucial World Cup game against Israel on Saturday.

He returned to Liverpool for further treatment on the thigh injury he picked up in the Champions' League Final. "I doubt if he is going to be fit for the weekend," manager Brian Kerr admitted. "He hadn't been back at Liverpool since the day after the Champions' League final and I felt it was important for them to have a look at him and start the rehab there. He still has some chance but he has a lot to do to be ready for Saturday he's got to start running, kicking, jumping."

Norwich's Gary Doherty, who can play at the back or upfront, jarred a knee in training at Malahide but declared himself fit. Certainly Kerr could do without losing any further defensive cover, with Stephen Carr, Gary Breen, Richard Dunne and Alan Maybury already out of the game and Finnan now almost certain to follow suit.