St Ledger blow for qualifiers

In a fresh blow for Giovanni Trapattoni, Sean St Ledger now looks set to miss next month’s World Cup qualifiers with a knee injury that could keep him out of action for six weeks.

The centre-half sustained the injury in training ahead of Leicester City’s goalless draw with Leeds on Sunday and was immediately withdrawn from the Irish panel for tomorrow’s friendly against Wales.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson is hopeful St Ledger might recover more quickly but even the most optimistic prognosis makes it seem unlikely that he could report for duty in time for Ireland’s games at home to Sweden and away to Austria.

“It happens and it’s unfortunate but, historically, he’s been a pretty quick healer, so six weeks is probably being a bit pessimistic,” said Pearson of the injury which has been described as a grade two tear.

“It might be three or four (weeks), but it will be what it will be.

“You can’t do a lot about contact injuries. I’d be annoyed if it was something avoidable, but you can’t do much about things like that.”

“It’s not ideal and it’s disappointing for Ledge, but that’s football.”

The setback for St Ledger could open the door to a return to competitive international football next month for Richard Dunne if he is able to prove both his form and fitness to Trapattoni at QPR over the coming weeks.