Morrison’s exclusion has left him bitter

CLINTON MORRISON admitted last night that his omission from the Republic of Ireland squad has left him bitter.

“It’s up to Steve Staunton, he’s got my phone number and knows where I am at,” Morrison said in the wake of his exclusion from the Republic’s squad for next week’s key Euro 2008 double header in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

“He knows I can play up front because I’ve done it numerous times for Ireland,” said Morrison.

“At the moment, he’s gone with strikers that he thinks are doing better than me, which is fair enough. All I can do is work hard for Palace.”

Sunderland’s Paul McShane is a doubt for both games after picking up an unspecified knock at Old Trafford on Saturday. “Paul has a little injury so we will need to look at him before we give him the green light to report for Ireland,” said manager Roy Keane.

Midfielder Darren Potter is hoping to shake off a groin strain and declare himself fit for Saturday’s crucial game in Slovakia. The 22-year-old Wolves playmaker was impressive during the summer tour of America and the recent game in Denmark.

Former Ireland boss and Potter’s manager at Wanderers, Mick McCarthy has admitted that the Liverpudlian’s poor early season form would have cost him his place against Stoke City on Saturday anyway. “Pott’s had a groin strain but wouldn’t have started the game,” said McCarthy.

Meanwhile, Slovak manager Jan Kocian has named a 20-strong squad for the qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.

Goalkeepers: Senecky (FC Nitra), Kuciak (MSK Zilina) Defenders: Durica (Saturn Moscow), Petras (Saturn Moscow), Klimpl (FC Midtjylland), Brezinsky (Sparta Prague), Szabo (Slovan Bratislava), Krajcik (Slavia Prague), Marek Cech (Porto) Midfielders: Sapara (Rosenburg), Zofcak (Sparta Prague), Hamsik (Napoli), Hodur (Slovan Liberec), Strba (MSK Zilina), Obzera (Artmedia Petrzalka), Gresko (Bayer Leverkusen) Forwards: Holosko (Manisaspor), Vittek (FC Nuremburg), Mintal (Nuremburg), Sestak (Bochum/GER)