Striking problem for big game
The doubt about the Wolves striker is the last thing Giovanni Trapattoni needs, as he has already lost Caleb Folan and Shane Long to injury. Anthony Stokes and Cillian Sheridan will both join up with the senior squad tomorrow but since either or both could be in action for the U21s against Estonia in Tallaght Stadium tonight, that is hardly an ideal scenario. As things stand, right now Robbie Keane is the only confirmed starter amongst Ireland’s forwards on a night when he will win his 100th cap for his country.
However, Doyle, who just did some light training yesterday, is still hoping to make the kick-off.
“I’m just not sure,” he said yesterday. “What I thought was a dead leg I got last Tuesday against Hearts hasn’t really improved. I want to play, the manager Mick McCarthy wants me to play, and the gaffer here wants me to play. I need the minutes because I missed a couple of pre-season games. But if it’s not right today, it won’t look great.”
Meanwhile, Shay Given has revealed his Manchester City colleague Carlos Tevez expects to sit out the game.
“I spoke to him the other day,” said the Irish ‘keeper. “He’s not playing but he’s going to be at the game. He only started training there last week so it’s a wee bit soon.”
Ireland assistant Manager Marco Tardelli admitted that his side were running out of alternatives in the forward line.
“We won’t have many options up front, I know,” he said. “Folan, Long and Best are injured although Sheridan will come into the squad after the U21 match as will Stokes.
We know they will be very tired but we won’t be bringing in another striker. Do you know one?
At the back, Richard Dunne too is nursing a knee problem but Tardelli said that he expects the Aston Villa man – who was yesterday absorbing the news of Martin O’ Neill’s shock exit from the club – to be fit for tomorrow night.
Meanwhile, Argentina yesterday trained behind closed doors at Carton House in Kildare.
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