Staunton still confident despite touchline ban

REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Steve Staunton admits he regrets landing a one-game touchline ban but does not expect his absence to hamper chances of victory in Cyprus on October 7.

The 37-year-old was dismissed from the dug-out in the Euro 2008 qualifying loss to Germany on September 2. He kicked a bottle of water in anger with 15 minutes of the game remaining and was admonished by referee Luis Medina Cantalejo.

“Of course I regret it,” Staunton yesterday. “It was a silly thing to do. It was just my frustration on the night.”