Hunt targets return for crucial Macedonia clash

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND manager Giovanni Trapattoni received a boost yesterday after Stephen Hunt said he is set to return to training after nearly six weeks out with a calf problem.

The Wolves midfielder has targeted a return to Premier League action at Aston Villa on March 19, which would make him available for Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifier clash with Macedonia in Dublin a week later.

Hunt has not featured since the 1-0 defeat against Stoke in the FA Cup on January 30. He said: “I’m back running again and hopefully within the next week, I’ll be back training.