Foley on the mend as Ireland get serious

Defender Kevin Foley returned to full training here last night as the Republic of Ireland began the serious preparations for Euro 2012 at their Italian training base.

The FAI said afterwards that injury concerns Shay Given and John O’Shea “continue to make progress with their rehabilitation”. PaulMcShane, who is with the squad on standby in the event of O’Shea failing to recover in time,, sat out training with a bruised heel and will bereviewed again this morning toascertain if he can train with the squad today.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni also confirmed last night that Irelandwill play a training game againsta Tuscany selection tomorrow evening in Pistoia, which isapproximately 20km from theirMontecatini base.