Trapattoni confident Ireland will return to the fold

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI is confident Stephen Ireland will return to the international fold, although the Manchester City midfielder is once again absent from the latest Irish squad.

And the new manager also revealed yesterday that he is optimistic Steve Finnan plans to reverse his decision to retire from international duty.

“I know his story, I know what happened,” Trapattoni said of Ireland yesterday. “When I spoke with him, I said ‘you are young and we will leave it for the moment like this. But you have a big opportunity in front of you, a long career in international football. I am sure you have a love for your country’.