Injured duo return for Republic

Steven Reid and Andy O’Brien have been recalled to the Republic of Ireland squad for the final match of their failed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Caretaker manager Don Givens has named the pair in a 22-man squad for the Group D encounter against Wales in Cardiff on November 17.

Reid, who has recently returned after a year-long injury nightmare, last played for Ireland in the opening game of the campaign away to Germany in September 2006.

The Blackburn midfielder was plagued by injuries to his back and knee which forced him to miss most of last season.

O’Brien missed the October qualifier against the Czech Republic because he was building up his fitness after his move to the Reebok Stadium from Portsmouth.

Givens told the Football Association of Ireland’s website, www.fai.ie: “I am delighted Steven is back to full fitness after his injury problems and it will be a big boost for us to have him in the squad.

“Andy has benefited from getting regular football at Bolton and that too will be a help.

“We want to finish the campaign on a high note by taking three points and finishing third behind Germany and the Czech Republic so there is plenty for us to play for in Cardiff.”

There is a call-up for Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Murphy, whose only cap came as a substitute against Turkey in 2004.

Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes will also be heading for Wales before returning to Ireland, along with Givens, to link up with the under-21 squad for the European Championship qualifier against Bulgaria on November 20 in Athlone.

But there is no recall for Stephen Ireland, despite his impressive goal for Manchester City last night in the Premier League defeat of Sunderland.

The midfielder opted out of September’s Euro 2008 qualifiers with Germany and Cyprus, saying he “would not do his country or himself justice”.

Ireland cited the death of a grandparent for his withdrawal – when in fact his girlfriend had suffered a miscarriage.

And Givens explained on Sky Sports News: “Stephen made the decision not to play for Ireland until he’s sorted.

“Maybe he needs a little bit of time to get his head right and the future manager may be able to get that sorted out.

“I’m in charge for this one game and I felt it wasn’t right to include Stephen in the squad because there has been no contact from him.”

“The future (Republic) manager can look at it differently – by then things may have changed.

“But I can’t really comment on what might happen in the future.”

Ireland celebrated his goal against Sunderland by dropping his shorts - revealing a pair of skimpy pants bearing the Superman logo.

Givens added: “I was at the game last night and I don’t know what to make of the celebration.

“I scored a lot of goals and it never entered my head to do that – I don’t know why he did it.

Meanwhile, Givens has no plans to apply for the post full-time.

The former QPR player added: “I made it clear when I took the job before (when Mick McCarthy left in 2002) I’m not interested in the senior job.

“I’m very happy working with the development stage of players and it’s the same at this point.”

Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2008 qualifying group D match against Wales in Cardiff on November 17:

Given (Newcastle), J Murphy (Scunthorpe), C Doyle (Birmingham); Finnan (Liverpool), Kelly (Birmingham), Dunne (Man City), McShane (Sunderland), A O’Brien (Bolton), J O’Brien (Bolton), O’Shea (Man Utd); McGeady (Celtic), Carsley (Everton), Douglas (Leeds), S Reid (Blackburn), A Reid (Charlton), Miller (Sunderland), Hunt (Reading), Kilbane (Wigan); Keane (Tottenham), D Murphy (Sunderland), Stokes (Sunderland), K Doyle (Reading).