Trap avoids selection headache as Best out

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni looks set to be spared a potential selection headache when he names his squad for the upcoming friendly against the Czech Republic on Friday.

Newcastle yesterday confirmed striker Leon Best, who was forced off in the early stages of Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, is likely to be out of action for a number of weeks.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew had previously conceded that he feared Best was facing a six-week spell on the sidelines but even if his lay-off is significantly less than that it would rule him out of the game against the Czech’s at the end of the month.