Irish trio ruled out of friendlies

RICHARD DUNNE, Kevin Kilbane and James McCarthy are the latest players to be ruled out of Ireland’s friendlies next week against Paraguay and Algeria.

Speaking after last night’s 1-0 win for his senior team against Paul Doolin’s U23’s in a training game in Malahide, Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni confirmed that both Dunne and Kilbane are laid low with achilles injuries while, following discussions with Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, it was agreed that a fatigued McCarthy could do with some more rest at the end of a long season.

With some eight players expected to come in on Sunday, Trapattoni said that he would now be asking all of his developmental squad – who have been training this week – to stay on for the period covering the friendly games.