Trap: Duff and Hunt focused

DAMIEN DUFF and Stephen Hunt were among some of the bigger names who trained with an unusually lean Irish squad at the home of St Michael’s FC in Tipperary yesterday – lean because some 10 members of the panel for next Wednesday’s game against Australia in Limerick were otherwise engaged with their clubs.

Keiren Westwood, John O’Shea, Darron Gibson, Kevin Kilbane, Caleb Folan, Richard Dunne, Shay Given, Aiden McGeady, Robbie Keane and Leon Best - who is now apparently rated doubtful after Coventry City’s 2-1 win over Ipswich yesterday - were the absentees but, with the obvious exception of Best, all were expected to link up with the squad overnight.

The rather more pressing question in relation to Newcastle’s Duff and Reading’s Hunt was whether both would remain with their respective clubs for very much longer, but Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni was at pains to stress neither player appeared fazed by the rumour and speculation linking them with moves to the Premier League.

Hunt, recuperating from a groin strain, has been linked with Portsmouth and Birmingham, among others, but Duff’s destination – if it is to be somewhere other than St James’ Park – remains unclear.

“I spoke with Damien and he told me he is well physically and psychologically,” said Trapattoni.

“Damien Duff is not young, he is an experienced and, while it might be good for him to move, he is not afraid to stay at Newcastle.

“I spoke with Hunt too and also with Liam Miller. They are at ease and in good condition. There will be no problem about them playing for at least an hour against Australia.”

Kevin Doyle – who came on as a substitute but missed a penalty for Wolves in a friendly against Real Valladolid on Saturday – was another player under close scrutiny yesterday, having only recently recovered from a hernia operation.

To aid his recovery, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has said that he hopes the striker gets 45 minutes for Ireland on Wednesday – a request with which Giovanni Trapattoni seems only too happy to comply.

“Kevin Doyle for us is very important,” said Trapattoni, “and I give Mick McCarthy the assurance that I am taking care of the player. I expect that he will play in the first half for us because this is a game which gives us the opportunity to make four or five changes at half-time. But it is still an important game.’’

And just as Sean St Ledger used the Nigeria friendly to claim a starting place against Bulgaria, Trapattoni would like to see another player make the breakthrough on the back of the game against Australia.

“People said it was a risk, picking St Ledger for a qualifier after a friendly game but I had no doubt,” said the manager. “I was also impressed with (St Ledger’s Preston team mate) Eddie Nolan against Nigeria. And while it’s my mentality and experience not to change too many players, maybe one change (in the competitive side) is possible.’’

Meanwhile, Tipp native Shane Long is one player hoping that next Wednesday will give him a chance to push for a place in the first 11.

Back on his old home ground of St Michael’s the Reading striker admitted that, while he appreciated being a regular in Trapattoni’s squad, he’d dearly like to see more game time in the green shirt. “The match against Australia is still an opportunity to make an impact, a chance for the so-called substitute players to shine,’’ he said. “And with the possibility of qualifying for the World Cup finals there, every player in the squad wants to take that chance.”