Trap visit as Duffy on the mend

SHANE DUFFY was visited in his hospital bed yesterday by Giovanni Trapattoni, Marco Tardelli and Robbie Keane.

The 18-year-old, who was seriously injured in a freak training game collision last Friday, continues to make good progress as he recovers from life-saving surgery.

“Shane is good now, he feels well, sometimes he walks,” said Ireland assistant manager Tardelli. “He has been speaking and joking with his family. We are very happy.

“It is very emotional situation. He is a new player, a young player, and after the match on Friday we were very worried when the doctor told us there was a big problem. But now everything is okay.

“He spoke a lot with Robbie Keane when he saw him in hospital – he prefers Robbie Keane to us! It was very emotional. He told us that he hopes to back playing football in four or five months. But I hope it’s before that.”

Other members of the Irish squad went in to see the Everton defender on Tuesday while Gerry Smith – manager of the Irish Junior side against whom Duffy was injured – was another visitor to the Mater Hospital yesterday.

Prior to visiting the patient, the Irish squad was given its first official tour of the new Aviva Stadium where the team will make its debut in Argentina in August.

More immediately, there’s the end of season meeting with Algeria tomorrow night, with Paul McShane the only certain absentee after the Hull man departed the Irish camp to attend his sister’s wedding, opening up the possibility of Celtic’s Darren O’ Dea seeing action against the World Cup qualifiers.

Robbie Keane (knee), Liam Lawrence (groin) and Anthony Stokes (allergy) sat out training at Malahide yesterday but all are expected to be available for selection tomorrow night.