Best gets Ireland’s call as Trap considers options

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has called Leon Best into the Irish squad for the Euro 2012 play-off against Estonia, the surest indication yet that Shane Long is unlikely to be fit for the games.

And while John O’Shea looks like missing out on the first leg in Tallinn on November 11, there is still hope in the Irish camp that the experienced Sunderland defender will be fit enough to join up with the squad in Dublin ahead of the second leg at Aviva Stadium four days later.

The omission from the original panel of in-form Newcastle striker Best was a controversial one to begin with, but the manager’s hand has now clearly been forced, against the backdrop of a further gloomy prognosis for Long from West Brom boss Roy Hodgson.

Although Long has not been officially ruled out by the Irish camp — and could yet be brought to Dublin for a final medical assessment at the weekend — his club manager yesterday dismissed his chances of recovering from a knee injury to play a part in either game. “Shane is not fit to play,” said Hodgson.

“The two doctors are in contact with each other and the Irish doctor knows that he is making good progress and we are working hard with him. But he is way off being fit to play a football match. If they want to prove that by inviting him over and sending him back again, that’s okay with me.

“But there is no way, unfortunately, he will be fit to play for us at the weekend or for Ireland. In fact, there is a lot of work to be done if he is going to be fit to play after the international break.

“If Giovanni [Trapattoni] wants to see him and invite him over there, then fine, but there is no medical examination which will change what is an obvious verdict. It is going to take some time to heal. The initial suggestion was six weeks and Shane would like it to be quicker than that — but it certainly isn’t going to be two weeks.”

Meanwhile Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has said John O’Shea could recover from a hamstring problem in time for the second leg at home to Estonia on November 15.

“Looking at the first game for Ireland next Friday, I would have thought he’s a huge doubt for that, which is a shame for the lad.

“It’s typical of the luck he’s had, unfortunately, since he’s been here. They are probably the two biggest games he has been looking forward to. He might have a chance for the second one, but certainly I would have thought the first game would come a bit too quickly for him.”