Injury Problems at Ireland camp
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
A makeshift Republic of Ireland squad trained together for the first
time at their summer training camp ahead of the upcoming friendly
matches against the World Cup bound duo of Algeria and Paraguay.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni is facing a major selection headache with the news that six of his original 23 man squad have been forced to withdraw. Despite the injuries assistant manager Marco Tardelli has ruled out making any new call ups to the training squad and insisted that the numbers will be cut down next week. The more senior members of the Irish team are expected to join up with the rest of the training camp on May 22.
Amongst the six absentees from the training squad is Wolves winger Andy Keogh who has been given compassionate leave to attend the birth of his child. Sunderland midfielder David Meyler was already ruled out after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Black Cats 1-0 defeat to Manchester United. The combative ex Cork City midfielder is also expected to miss the majority of next season. Caleb Folan and Stephen Ward are both missing due to knee injuries while Keith Treacy (hernia) and Darron Gibson (groin) complete the list of players unavailable. The long list of absentees means call ups for Manchester City left-back Greg Cunningham along with 21 year old Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan.
There could be further injury problems for the Ireland manager with the news that Stoke City winger Liam Lawrence and Wigan star James McCarthy are both currently being assessed by their clubs medical staff.
Despite the long list of injuries Tardelli is not worried and insists that the upcoming matches will be a good opportunity for some of the younger players in the squad to gain some valuable experience. “In this year’s Premier League and in the Championship many players in our squad didn’t play but they will feature in the matches. We already know about all of our players qualities but it is important that they understand how to play in our system” the Italian said.
Marc Wilson, Kevin Foley and Kieran Westwood didn’t train with the rest of the team after their travel arrangements were interrupted by the volcanic ash cloud but they will join up with the remainder of the team shortly. Coventry keeper Westwood is expected to deputise in goal after Shay Given’s recent shoulder injury and Tardelli gave Irish fans some good news saying that the Manchester City goalkeeper’s recovery is on track and he should be fit for Ireland’s opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Armenia on September 3rd.
Before the two internationals at the RDS the senior team will play an exhibition match against Paul Doolin’s Under 23’s behind closed doors on Tuesday evening. The assistant manager gave no indication about what team will be selected saying “I don’t know but it will become clear after the first training session with the full side. We have many players that we want to look at but the injury problems have meant that we will have to have a closer look at some players more than others”.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni is facing a major selection headache with the news that six of his original 23 man squad have been forced to withdraw. Despite the injuries assistant manager Marco Tardelli has ruled out making any new call ups to the training squad and insisted that the numbers will be cut down next week. The more senior members of the Irish team are expected to join up with the rest of the training camp on May 22.
Amongst the six absentees from the training squad is Wolves winger Andy Keogh who has been given compassionate leave to attend the birth of his child. Sunderland midfielder David Meyler was already ruled out after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Black Cats 1-0 defeat to Manchester United. The combative ex Cork City midfielder is also expected to miss the majority of next season. Caleb Folan and Stephen Ward are both missing due to knee injuries while Keith Treacy (hernia) and Darron Gibson (groin) complete the list of players unavailable. The long list of absentees means call ups for Manchester City left-back Greg Cunningham along with 21 year old Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan.
There could be further injury problems for the Ireland manager with the news that Stoke City winger Liam Lawrence and Wigan star James McCarthy are both currently being assessed by their clubs medical staff.
Despite the long list of injuries Tardelli is not worried and insists that the upcoming matches will be a good opportunity for some of the younger players in the squad to gain some valuable experience. “In this year’s Premier League and in the Championship many players in our squad didn’t play but they will feature in the matches. We already know about all of our players qualities but it is important that they understand how to play in our system” the Italian said.
Marc Wilson, Kevin Foley and Kieran Westwood didn’t train with the rest of the team after their travel arrangements were interrupted by the volcanic ash cloud but they will join up with the remainder of the team shortly. Coventry keeper Westwood is expected to deputise in goal after Shay Given’s recent shoulder injury and Tardelli gave Irish fans some good news saying that the Manchester City goalkeeper’s recovery is on track and he should be fit for Ireland’s opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Armenia on September 3rd.
Before the two internationals at the RDS the senior team will play an exhibition match against Paul Doolin’s Under 23’s behind closed doors on Tuesday evening. The assistant manager gave no indication about what team will be selected saying “I don’t know but it will become clear after the first training session with the full side. We have many players that we want to look at but the injury problems have meant that we will have to have a closer look at some players more than others”.
