Messi and big guns all set to fire at Aviva

NO Maradona in the dugout, more’s the pity, but Argentina will certainly not be lacking in star quality on the pitch when they play the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday.

Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Gonzalo Higuain and Diego Milito are all included in a formidable 24-man squad which will arrive in Dublin tomorrow under the baton of caretaker manager Sergio Batista.

Meanwhile, at a press conference in Beijing yesterday, where he is currently on tour with Barcelona, Messi gave voice to his shock at Maradona’s exit.