Given and McGeady expected to be fit

REPUBLIC of Ireland internationals Shay Given and Aiden McGeady are nursing injuries ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria but assistant manager Marco Tardelli has expressed confidence that both will be fit for the game.

With Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni having already lost Steve Finnan to a hamstring problem, Tardelli revealed yesterday in Dublin that the Manchester City goalkeeper and Glasgow Celtic winger are both receiving treatment for injuries following weekend games for their clubs.

“McGeady picked up a knock and Given has a problem with his shoulder. Both are undergoing treatment at their clubs but I’m sure that they will be fit,’’ Tardelli said.