Just the ticket

IRISH fans are being given a bonus chance to buy tickets for Saturday’s big game at Croke Park.

The FAI have announced that the French Football Federation has returned a portion of its allocation for the match and, as a result, approximately 1,000 tickets will go on sale from noon today on www.ticketmaster.ie.

Meanwhile, the latest injury news from the Irish camp is that, as expected, Hibernian’s Liam Miller has been forced to return to his club with a calf problem, the same kind of injury which has also prevented Reading’s Shane Long from joining up with the squad. Scunthorpe United goalkeeper Joe Murphy sat out part of training with an ankle knock yesterday but the move was being described as merely precautionary. And France have a fresh injury worry, with first-choice midfielder Jeremy Toulalan of Lyon rated doubtful for Saturday’s game with a groin problem. Should he not make it, it’s likely Bordeaux’s Alou Diarra will replace him at Croke Park.