Trapattoni eyes friendly with Colombia after Croker bow

NEW Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has pencilled in a second friendly for the end of May, it was confirmed last night.

The Republic are close to inking an agreement to play Colombia four days after Trapattoni’s debut clash against Serbia at Croke Park. The Colombian tie will be played at Fulham’s Craven Cottage, it is believed.

Trapattoni has already approved an Algarve training camp ahead of the Serbian game, meaning he could have up to two weeks with his squad at the end of the season.

With the Republic already slated to meet Norway in Oslo on August 20, that will give the new manager three friendlies and a training camp to get to know his players in advance of Ireland’s World Cup 2010 qualification opener against Georgia in September.

The Irish squad’s last training camp at Oceanico Group’s Lagos base in Portugal, was hailed as a tremendous success.