Trap: Given won’t walk away
The Manchester City goalkeeper has intimated recently that he may have to consider his future in the international game should hisclub qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Roberto Mancini’s side currently lie sixth in the Premier League table, one point behind both Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, although they do have a game in hand on Martin O’Neill’s team.
Given’s personal situation has been clouded further following the dislocated shoulder he suffered in the Emirates Stadium last Saturday, but the Republic of Ireland manager does not believe that will tip him towards international retirement.
“Our job in the national team is to play eight games and qualify and that is not too much. It is important that he does not lose his confidence after the operation. He is not 23 or 24, he is experienced, and that is important.
“Many others, (Petr) Cech for example, was okay after a greatinjury. It took him 10 months to go back but it is a little different. I know his (Given’s) mentality. It is strong. When he is fit and ready he will not be able to refuse our national team.”
Trapattoni sent his number one a consoling text message in the wake of his injury against Arsenal and it was the Italian’s understanding yesterday that Given will be out for three to four months.
A more accurate assessment will be forthcoming after the Donegal man undergoes surgery to the damaged joint but a four-month recovery would leave Given touch and go for Ireland’s opening Group B fixtures.
Trapattoni’s side is due to kick off the next qualifying campaign with a visit to Armenia on September 3 and they will follow that up with a tie against Andorra at the Aviva Stadium four dayslater.
Two more fixtures, at home to Russia and away to Slovakia, will be decided a month later before a five-month hiatus that will end with another Dublin date, this time against Macedonia, in March.
That means that all eyes will now turn to the likes of Coventry City’s Kieren Westwood, Scunthorpe United’s Joe Murphy and Ipswich Town’s Brian Murphy when national duties come around again next month.
The trio have earned just four caps between them thus far but all were named yesterday in an inexperienced 23-man training squad which Trapattoni has called together prior to the friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria.
“We chose three, four months ago about Westwood. We follow Westwood every Saturday and Sunday with (goalkeeping coach) Alan Kelly. We have also watched him in training. He is not just the biggest but he has a good personality.
“Today, I have confidence with Westwood. We have also Joe Murphy and (Brian) Murphy that was already with us and I have the opportunity to know his character. We can trust them.”
Given’s injury has led to Manchester City making a formal request to the Premier League over an emergency goalkeeper loan.
City may ask to recall goalkeeper Joe Hart but, under rules, there is a ‘no-recall clause’ in his contract because he joined Birmingham on a season-long loan.
City have three Premier League games remaining and the club’s request for an emergency goalkeeper will be considered by the Premier League Board, who are expected to reveal their decision today.
Given was not the only senior international whose future was up for discussion at yesterday’s squad announcement.
Steven Reid and Stephen Ireland’s situations were both brought up although there was no mention of Andy Reid. Trapattoni was adamant that Steven Reid was still being monitored by the Irish team management but he also stressed the need to find new blood in the weeks and months ahead.
Whether that includes Manchester City’s Ireland remains to be seen.
“I follow him. I read last week in an Irish paper that maybe next year he go with Manchester United. I wait. At the moment, if we keep talking about him we createtension so I keep him in mind but I don’t want to talk about it.
“I speak with him (before) and, after 24 hours, I read about it in a newspaper. It is a delicate situation.
“We ask also Mancini. Maybe he will go to Manchester United.”
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