Tardelli: Pilkington ready to take bow

Giovanni Trapattoni would have no qualms about giving Anthony Pilkington his international debut against Sweden, according to Marco Tardelli.

No final decision has yet been made on a replacement for Aiden McGeady, with James McClean still very much in contention for a starting berth.

How Pilkington continues to fare in training this week will be a big factor, especially given his lack of game time at Norwich this season. But Tardelli was at pains to remind everyone yesterday that Trapattoni did not hesitate to blood Sean St Ledger in a World Cup qualifier away to Bulgaria in 2009 after the defender had made just one friendly appearance for his country.