McCarthy set to answer Ireland’s call
The 20-year-old Glaswegian will be named in Trapattoni’s squad for the crucial Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday week (and friendly with Uruguay three days later) when it’s announced at Abbotstown today.
Of more immediate relief to Trapattoni, however, is being able to include captain Robbie Keane, who made his return to action as a substitute for West Ham United in their FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Stoke City yesterday.
Keane, on loan from Tottenham, missed the Carling Nations Cup game with Wales last month, but has returned sooner than expected from a calf injury.
His return will be a major boost to Trapattoni who is without keeper Shay Given due a shoulder injury, while key defender Richard Dunne is a major doubt with a dislocated shoulder.
The recent meeting with McCarthy reportedly went well, with Trapattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli assuring the player, who has just one cap from a substitute appearance in a friendly with Brazil in February last year, he is very much in their plans. From his part, the player reiterated to the Irish management team that he has no intention of switching allegiance to the country of his birth.
Given his inexperience, McCarthy has little chance of starting against Macedonia, but would be a most viable option off the bench in the hope of changing the game late on if necessary.
In the absence of record cap holder Given, the most pressing area for Trapattoni ahead of the game remains that of goalkeeper.
Keiren Westwood allayed fears over a hip injury by playing in Coventry City’s home defeat to Hull City on Saturday and looks set to make his competitive debut against Macedonia.
But with Murphys, Joe and Brian, of Scunthorpe and Ipswich respectively, both out injured at the moment, just who Trapattoni will call up in reserve is the question.
Goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly was at the Millwall versus QPR Championship match last Tuesday, running the rule of respective keepers David Forde and Paddy Kenny. Birmingham City reserve keeper Colin Doyle and Darren Randolph of Motherwell are also other options.
The seven-times capped Kenny hasn’t played for Ireland since the disastrous 5-2 defeat to Cyprus in Nicosia in 2006 while Galway native Forde has never been included in a senior squad. Kenny, now 32, is regarded to be in the best form of his career for runaway Championship leaders QPR with their manager Neil Warnock insisting that there isn’t a better keeper playing even in the Premier League at the moment.
Elsewhere, Stephen Hunt should make the squad as he’s set to return to training at his club Wolves today following a pulled calf muscle while fellow winger Liam Lawrence confirmed his fitness by coming off the bench for Portsmouth’s 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday. Doubts over Dunne being fit to start should signal a recall for 108-times capped Kevin Kilbane as experienced defensive cover.
Despite recent assertions from several wannabe Irishmen, Trapattoni is unlikely to unveil any surprises in his squad today. Midfielder Jamie O’Hara, on loan at Wolves from Tottenham, is one who remains very much on the radar and the player said recently he would welcome a call. Stoke City wide man Jermaine Pennant’s recent claims are seen as less credible. Subsequent to acquiring an Irish passport, both players would then need clearance from FIFA to switch allegiance having already played for England at underage. Notts Forest central defender Luke Chambers was the latest to announce his eligibility, after contact from the FAI. But any call-up is down the line.
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