Given and O'Shea return to training

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni was handed a double boost today when Shay Given and John O’Shea both trained.

Given, who was told to rest a knee injury following a visit to a London specialist last week, was back on the training ground at Borgo A Buggiano this morning, as was O’Shea, whose ankle problem has been a concern since before he joined up.

The players, who were given a day off yesterday, were in high spirits as they went through their paces in bright sunshine at the Stadio Comunale Alberto Benedetti.

They are due to leave their Montecatini base at the weekend for Budapest, where they will play their final warm-up game against Hungary on Monday.