No Ireland return for Trap squad to face Aussies

STEPHEN IRELAND will not be in the Irish squad for the forthcoming friendly against Australia which manager Giovanni Trapattoni will unveil in Limerick on Wednesday.

Hopes had been rising that the Manchester City player was ready to resume his international career but, even though a comeback has still not been ruled out, it appears that the game in Thomond Park on August 12 has come too soon.

Not for the first time, Trapattoni knows that he will have to field questions at his press conference on Wednesday about what he knows of Ireland’s latest intentions, especially with the World Cup qualifier away to Cyprus in September drawing ever closer.