Trap denies stroke reports

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has denied media reports in Italy he has suffered a stroke. The denial has been backed by the FAI and the Irish team doctor, Alan Byrne.

The 71-year-old Ireland manager did confirm he had undergone what was described as “a scheduled operation” in his native Milan just after Christmas but dismissed a newspaper story saying he had suffered partial paralysis on his right side after suffering a stroke during the surgery.

In a statement released by the FAI, Trapattoni was quoted as saying: “I had a scheduled operation to clean the carotid artery on December 28 in Milan. I am recovering well and expect to return to work in the coming weeks. “Contrary to speculation, I can confirm that I have not suffered a stroke. I will be in Ireland on January 24 to announce my squad for the Carling Nations Cup match against Wales on February 8.”