Duff and Andrews ruled out of Russian clash

IT looks like it will be the same again for Ireland against Russia on Friday, after Damien Duff and Keith Andrews were both ruled out of the game following recurring injury problems.

Aiden McGeady on the wing and Paul Green in midfield now seem certain starters, as they were against Armenia and Andorra in the opening two qualification games.

Speaking after his squad assembled in Malahide yesterday, Giovanni Trapattoni said a scan showed blood on Damien Duff’s calf muscle, confirming his absence for the Russia game and all but ruling him out of the match against Slovakia next week. “Duff is Duff, he is important but also the other players are important,” said the manager. “He’s very sincere. When he speaks to me, he apologises, he hoped to play. But the muscle is tough and the scan says there is a little blood. We cannot take a risk with him. It’s impossible to put him on the pitch. And I think it’s not possible for him to recover in eight days.”