Trap overlooks Andy Reid for upcoming qualifiers

Giovanni Trapattoni has left out Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid of his provisional 27-man squad for the Republic of Ireland's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Montenegro.

Steven Reid has been included as expected in the panel after recovering from a lengthy injury.

He played for Blackburn earlier this week in their Carling Cup win over Nottingham Forest.

Aiden McGeady is included despite an injury concern after limping out of Celtic's Scottish League Cup win over Falkirk.

Though the injury was not as bad as initially feared, McGeady is absent from Celtic's squad to face St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League tomorrow.

Trapattoni said: "The final two qualifying matches against Italy and Montenegro in Croke Park next month will be pivotal in our efforts to qualify for South Africa.

"Having performed well against both Italy and Montenegro away from home, we hope that playing in front of a home crowd against these teams will give us an extra advantage.

"Everything is still to play for as the group stages draw to a close."

Republic of Ireland Squad v Italy & Montenegro

Given, Westwood, Murphy, O’Shea, Foley, Dunne, Kelly, Kilbane, Nolan, St Ledger, McShane, O’Dea, McGeady, Duff, Gibson, Whelan, Andrews, Miller, S Hunt, Keogh, S Reid, Lawrence, Foland, Doyle, Keane, Long, Best.