Pilkington withdraws from Irish squad

The FAI has confirmed that Norwich City midfielder Anthony Pilkington has withdrawn from the Irish squad for their upcoming summer games. The 24 year-old played in the last three league games for his club and scored last Sunday against Manchester City.

However, under advice from his club he has decided to rest for the summer to protect a knee injury and prepare for next season.

This is the third time Pilkington has pulled out of an Ireland squad since he was first called up by the manager at the start of the year for a friendly against Poland. He missed that game due to a knee problem and then missed the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria due to a hamstrung injury.

The knee injury is the official reason for Pilkington’s withdrawal on this occasion, but he also plans to get married on the 31^st of May, which would have put his participation in doubt for the remaining games after the friendly against England.

This withdrawal will come as a disappointment to Trapattoni who had spoke of his plans to involve the Norwich midfielder in the glamour friendly against England. Despite this withdrawal, currently the Irish management team has not called up a replacement to the squad.