Knee operation rules Kavanagh out of Euro qualifiers

REPUBLIC of Ireland midfielder Graham Kavanagh is out of next month’s Euro 2004 qualifiers against Cyprus and the Czech Republic.

The 32-year-old Sunderland player will go into hospital tomorrow for an operation after injuring his knee in Saturday’s league game against Ipswich Town.

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Staunton said: “Graham requires a cartilage operation so he will be out for four to six weeks and is touch and go for the home game against San Marino on November 15. He is one of our experienced players so he will be a loss but that’s why we named such a big squad in the first place and we also have the option of calling up other players.”