Dunne and Kilbane out as Ireland’s injury problems deepen

IRELAND face a major injury crisis in defence ahead of Wednesday’s friendly international against Norway at the Aviva Stadium.

Giovanni Trapattoni has lost two of his usual first-choice back four with Richard Dunne (knee) and Kevin Kilbane (back) having to withdraw from the Irish squad, joining Robbie Keane, Paul McShane and Caleb Folan from the original panel on the missing list.

And though Sean St Ledger has come to Dublin to be assessed by FAI medical staff, it’s expected that the Preston centre-half will also be relegated to the sidelines.

And in a further blow, FIFA’s processing of Ciaran Clark’s application to play for Ireland has been rendered academic, at least for this match, after the Aston Villa man injured a calf muscle in the warm-up for the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Saturday.

“We are very sad because we hoped to see him,” said Marco Tardelli yesterday, who at least was able to relay the better news that, despite playing with a broken bone in his hand at the weekend, Kevin Doyle will be available for selection on Wednesday.

“He’s okay, he played yesterday,” said the Ireland assistant manager.

“We have Kevin Doyle’s hand – Argentina had Maradona’s hand! – it’s no problem.”

Inevitably, Tardelli was obliged to put a positive gloss on the chance now open to fringe and new players to stake a claim against Norway.

“It’s a good opportunity against a big team,” he said. “Don’t forget that Norway are in 13th place in the world, so it’s a very difficult match for the young players.

“We have experienced players too, like O’Shea, Whelan, Doyle and Duff but this match will be a lot about the young players.”

Among those who could be on from the start or else will see action during the game, are young full-backs Greg Cunningham and Seamus Coleman.

“I think now Cunningham plays for Leicester very well, I saw his last match,” said Tardelli.

“He is good, he is the future for Ireland. Seamus Coleman too. I don’t know how many players will start or how many will play in the second half. But in the Norway team, there are a lot of tall players so I think we will have difficulty without St Ledger and Richard Dunne.”

Despite all the withdrawals, Tardelli said that no additional players will be called up to a squad which has now been reduced to 21 players.