Stephen Ireland withdraws from Euro 2008 qualifiers

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland’s squad for their upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers because he “would not do his country or himself justice”.

The news comes as a further blow for manager Steve Staunton for the Group D meetings at Croke Park with Germany on Saturday and Cyprus four days later following full-back Stephen Carr’s withdrawal earlier today with a hamstring problem.