Tardelli banks on Whelan fitness

GLENN WHELAN won’t be involved in the final Four Nations tournament clash with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow, but Republic of Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli is confident the midfielder will be fit to face Macedonia in next week’s Euro qualifier.

After briefly joining up with the squad on Thursday, Whelan flew back to Stoke for treatment on his injured ankle, but Tardelli insists it’s not a serious problem.

“He was here on Thursday but didn’t train,” revealed Tardelli. “He is back at his club now for treatment but will come back here on Monday morning. I’m not concerned about his fitness. He has a little problem (ankle) and it just needs a little rest.”

In Whelan’s absence, Kevin Foley did a sterling job in the centre of midfield against Northern Ireland on Tuesday night, but the Wolves man is unlikely to feature there against either Scotland tomorrow or Macedonia.

Foley’s best chance of playing against Macedonia will be at right-back then, but he faces stiff competition there too from Stephen Kelly and Paul McShane.

All three are still in with a chance of nailing down the position, because the Irish management still haven’t settled on who their preferred choice is for the crucial clash with Macedonia.

“We have 8-10 days before that game to consider it,” said Tardelli. “During training we will decide. But there is also a game against Scotland, so that will help us decide too. But we need to see the players in training, that is important.

“I don’t know how many players will come back after the finals (Champions League and play-offs). I hope all of them, but they are going to be very tough matches.”

One man who will definitely be in action against the Scots is skipper Robbie Keane, who will be going all out to score the two goals that will bring him to a remarkable 50 in an Irish jersey.

Tardelli paid the Irish captain the considerable compliment of comparing him favourably to legendary Italian striker Paolo Rossi.

“I don’t know if he’ll get to 50 goals against Scotland, but I really hope he does because he deserves it. It’s a fantastic record. In Italy there was a big player called Giga Riva who scored 35 goals in 42 matches. He was a different sort of player to Robbie though, who is probably more similar to Rossi.”

Victory tomorrow will secure Ireland’s first piece of silverware since the Icelandic tournament of 1986.

Picture: JUST FOR KICKS: Andy Keogh stretches for the ball during Republic of Ireland training at Gannon Park, Malahide, Dublin yesterday. Ireland play Scotland tomorrow at the Aviva Stadium. Picture: Cathal Noonan/INPHO