Trap wants Canary on wing

Giovanni Trapattoni is planning to uncage his Canaries against England at Wembley.

Announcing an extended squad for Ireland’s hectic end of season programme, the manager indicated that he will opt for a 4-5-1 or, more accurately, 4-4-1-1 formation in the glamour friendly in London on May 29, with Anthony Pilkington making his long-awaited debut out wide and Wes Hoolahan getting his first start playing between midfield and the front man.

“The England game will be important for the new system,” said the manager. “I think we play one and five.”

The Italian added that Pilkington could “also be important” against the Faroe Islands in the World Cup qualifier at the Aviva on June 7. However, he acknowledged that asignificant question mark hangs over the Norwich man’s availability for that game, given he is getting married on May 31.

“Four days after my wedding I played the semi-final of the cup,” said Trapattoni with a smile but, still grinning, went on to concede that Pilkington “at this moment has the problem with the wife”.

A further potential complication is that Pilkington is nursing an inflamed knee, although the injury didn’t effect his performance for Norwich in their 4-0 thrashing of West Brom at Carrow Road on Sunday, a game which was attended by Trapattoni.

While the likelihood is that Pilkington will, in fact, not be available for the games against Georgia and the Faroes in Dublin, and Spain in New York, Trapattoni clearly sees him fitting into his long-term plans as a wide player who can also offer a goal threat.

In any event, the manager plans to substantially rotate his personnel across the four games, admitting that, while such a heavy end of season schedule is far from ideal, the “other side of the coin” is that it will allow him to give the maximum number of players added international experience.

Nor does he expect a repeat of the no-shows which caused so much controversy around the Carling Nations Cup games this time two years ago.

“All the players say to me they wish to be here,” he said. “England and Spain are two very important games. I would go without shoes to play these games if I was player, I’d swim across the ocean.”

But, already, Trapattoni knows he will be without some of his named players at least some of the time. Both Shane Long and James McCarthy will miss the key game against the Faroes through suspension, and the manager is planning to talk to them about skipping the Spain game in New York if they so wish.

Injury permitting, captain Robbie Keane will definitely be available for the Faroes match, but his availability for the other fixtures will depend in part on the outcome of his discussions with LA Galaxy, who have MLS games at the end of May and beginning of June.

“I was in touch with him,” said Trapattoni. “He has enthusiasm, he will be here and then we can evaluate his situation, his fitness.”

Stoke’s Glenn Whelan is nursing a groin strain, but has assured Trapattoni he is available for selection.

“I recommended to him to be careful,” said the manager of his evergreen midfielder. “Friendly is friendly, but the qualifier against the Faroes is the important one.”

Missing out altogether are Kevin Doyle (Achilles) and Ciaran Clark (foot) both of whom are undergoing surgery at the end of the season. There is no call-up for the Wolves pair of Stephen Ward and Stephen Hunt while Richard Dunne doesn’t make the provisional 28-man squad.