Trapattoni forced into defensive changes

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will have to reshuffle his defence for Tuesday night’s crunch Euro 2012 qualifier in Russia after losing Sean St Ledger to suspension.

The Leicester defender is out of the Group B clash at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium after picking up a late booking in last night’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Slovakia in Dublin.

Darren O’Dea could get the nod to partner Richard Dunne, or John O’Shea could move into the middle with Kevin Foley taking over at right-back.

The Italian said: “It’s good to have Sean when we are playing against quick strikers and he and Richard Dunne have played well together.

“But we have more people. Darren O’Dea played well against Italy and I am confident in him also.

“There is also John O’Shea, but I will decide after training.”

Ireland will arrive in Moscow trailing Group B leaders Russia by two points and knowing automatic qualification could be effectively out of their grasp if they do not leave with a win.

They find themselves in that position after a below-par performance against Slovakia, who might themselves have headed home with a win.

The Republic struggled for any real coherence until late in the game when a last-gasp flurry of activity almost paid dividends.

The should have snatched all three points when Damien Duff presented skipper Robbie Keane with the perfect opportunity to beat goalkeeper Jan Mucha.

However, the Los Angeles Galaxy frontman mistimed his header and sent the ball harmlessly wide off his shoulder.

Substitute Simon Cox could not hit the target either after Keane had set him up with six minutes to go, and two precious points slipped away.

Russia’s earlier victory over Macedonia had left them clear at the top of the group and knowing a second win over Trapattoni’s men in Moscow on Tuesday night would put them in pole position to book their place at the finals.

But Trapattoni said: “We have a chance. We have the quality to score a goal - why not?

“We need to play not better, but with a little bit more incision and determination and if we get that, maybe we will score a goal.”

By contrast, Slovakia head into their home clash with Armenia on Tuesday buoyed by the knowledge that they will ease ahead of Ireland if they better their result as the group reaches a tense conclusion.

Manager Vladimir Weiss said: “We have two matches at home against Armenia and Russia and one away against Macedonia.

“Every game is very important and we will see. We have to try to do the best we can and I am very proud of my team.”