Reid almost ready for Ireland’s call
While Giovanni Trapattoni has named the Blackburn Rovers man on a standby list for the August 12 friendly against Australia at Thomond Park, the Ireland manager admitted yesterday that a competitive return for the midfielder is unlikely before the crucial World Cup game against Italy in Dublin in October.
But that’s still encouraging news given that Reid – one of Ireland’s star performers in the opening two away games of the qualification campaign – subsequently missed the bulk of last season following surgery on a major knee injury. At the time, fears were expressed about the player’s long-term future but he is now back in training at Ewood Park – and clearly back in Trapattoni’s thinking.
“I spoke to him in June,” the manager said yesterday, “and he said that he was looking to come back early. At the moment, he is only training but our doctor has been in contact with his colleague at the club to check on his condition.
“It is important for him not to force his comeback too soon. I said to him, ‘go slowly’. It is better to have him back one game later and 100% fit. It’s like with Kevin Doyle (currently recovering from a hernia operation). He is on the list but I don’t want to force him either.”
Trapattoni said that he feels the away game to Cyprus in September will come too soon for Steven Reid but expressed confidence he would be available for the final two qualifiers against Italy and Montenegro.
“Steven Reid is an important player,” he said. “He’s physical and experienced. And it’s important we have options. At the moment, we have Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan on yellow cards – one more and they are out. A coach must think about that. Also, it is important that we grow the squad.”
However, judging by his squad selection for the friendly against Australia, Trapattoni’s version of growing the squad does not involve bringing in a host of new faces. There are only two changes from the squad for the last two games, against Nigeria and Bulgaria, and both were enforced – Paul McShane through injury and Dean Kiely through his decision to step down.
Although tipped for a return to the squad, the Portsmouth-bound Steve Finnan is absent for the Australia game, Trapattoni explaining that the fixture has come too soon for a player whose last season in Spain was a sad litany of injury and precious little game time.
Trapattoni said that, while he is pleased with the progress of his team, there is more work to be done and more improvement required if Ireland are to qualify for South Africa next year. And he made it clear that he still has his eye on qualifying as winners of the group rather than via the play-offs.
“We believe we can win,” he said. “If we show the mentality we showed in Bulgaria and Bari, we can keep going up. Italy are world champions but we have a great chance to win that game. We must believe. Why not?”
Australia, whom Trapattoni likened to the USA in terms of their style and spirit, he predicts will provide a strong test at Thomond Park where the manager is hoping the result will match the atmosphere. However, the manager added: “Australia is strong but Cyprus is stronger,” reminding his audience everything now is geared to the goal of qualifying for the World Cup finals.
That also means, he insisted, that there is no urgency on his part about agreeing a new contract with the FAI, although he did indicate that he would like the situation to be resolved by end of the campaign.
“I think there is a good possibility (of a new deal),” he said. “I am the same, I am available. Money is not a problem, it’s okay. When the FAI is satisfied, we can speak without problem. I don’t wish to force the situation. I want to focus on the job and I don’t wish to be distracted by other issues at the moment.”
Trapattoni revealed he has received other offers of work in club football but said he has no wish to pursue them for now. “I work with Ireland. I promised loyalty to the FAI,” he said. “What is important is qualifying for the World Cup. I don’t want to be disturbed by other issues. We still have work to do, especially with the young players and the new players. I think we have a good squad now and for me it’s important to finish this work.”
Republic of Ireland squad (v Australia, Thomond Park, August 12): Given (Man City), Westwood (Coventry), Murphy (Scunthorpe), O’Shea (Man Utd), Foley (Wolves), Dunne (Man City), S Kelly (Fulham), Kilbane (Hull), Nolan (Preston), St Ledger (Preston), McGeady (Celtic), Duff (Newcastle), Gibson (Man Utd), Whelan (Stoke), Andrews (Blackburn), Miller (Unattached), Hunt (Reading), Keogh (Wolves), Lawrence (Stoke), Folan (Hull), Doyle (Wolves) Keane (Spurs), Long (Reading), Best (Coventry).
On standby: Bruce (Ipswich), Delaney (Ipswich), S Reid (Blackburn).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
