Trap hospitalised with food poisoning
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Giovanni Trapattoni is set to miss out on Ireland’s friendly with Argentina tomorrow due to a bout of food poisoning.
Trap picked up the bug while eating shellfish in Italy but he does still have a slight chance of being in the dugout for the game depending on results from impending tests this afternoon.
“We’ve some tests in already and they’re very good but we have others pending which may not be until tomorrow morning. It’s a precautionary measure,” team doctor Alan Byrne said after explaining the Italian’s condition.
“It’s not serious at all, it is merely a precaution. We need to see how things go over the next 12 to 24 hours. It's not a serious problem, but with shellfish-type food poisoning it can have a great impact, but everything is just a precaution.”
Marco Tardelli stepped into the hotseat for this morning’s pre-match press conference and he believes that there is still a chance that the 71-year-old could still manage the side against the South American’s.
“Maybe he will be at the match, he’s very strong,” Tardelli said after Dr. Byrne confirmed he is in a stable condition after blood tests, urine tests, x-rays and an ECG.
Updates are expected later in the day when more test results are confirmed but at the moment he is only rated 50/50 at best to be in the dugout by 7.45 tomorrow.
Tardelli did name a probable starting XI in Trapattoni’s absence, although there are doubts over Richard Dunne and Kevin Doyle, with knee and calf injuries respectively, meaning Cillian Sheridan and Darren O’Dea are both on standby to step into the lurch.
“I can’t confirm the team because there are two doubts. After training today it will be possible to say whether they play in the match or not.
Still, despite the managerial absence Tardelli will need to get the players to focus on the task ahead, particularly with Barcelona start Lionel Messi expected to start.
When questioned on how he thinks the Irish should combat arguably the greatest player in the world, the 55 year old World Cup winner was adamant that the side will set out in the same way as always.
He did, however, admit that Keith Andrews and Derby County’s Paul Green, who will earn just his 3rd cap in the absence of Glenn Whelan, must pay special attention to Messi. Set pieces, meanwhile, must also be targeted against a “clever, smart and strong” Argentina
“We want to play like the last time and our own football. Messi is a very good player and it’s impossible to decide how to stop him. I think Green and Andrews can perhaps pay more attention to him. “All of our players must help each other, they (Argentina) are a strong team and very clever and we need to pay attention. Also, their set pieces are very dangerous.”
As expected, Shay Given will start in goal, with Paul McShane, John O’Shea and Kevin Kilbane certainties at the back, while Richard Dunne is expected to take his place after returning to training today.
Liam Lawrence, meanwhile was a late omission from the squad after picking up a strain and Birmingham City’s Keith Fahey has replaced him, while Andrews and Green will anchor the middle as Damien Duff will line out on the left flank.
Up front Robbie Keane will earn his 100th cap, to be partnered by Doyle or possibly Sheridan if the Wolves’ striker’s knock isn’t cleared up.
Ireland (probable): Given; McShane, Dunne, O’Shea, Kilbane; Fahey, Andrews, Green, Duff; Keane, Doyle.
Trap picked up the bug while eating shellfish in Italy but he does still have a slight chance of being in the dugout for the game depending on results from impending tests this afternoon.
“We’ve some tests in already and they’re very good but we have others pending which may not be until tomorrow morning. It’s a precautionary measure,” team doctor Alan Byrne said after explaining the Italian’s condition.
“It’s not serious at all, it is merely a precaution. We need to see how things go over the next 12 to 24 hours. It's not a serious problem, but with shellfish-type food poisoning it can have a great impact, but everything is just a precaution.”
Marco Tardelli stepped into the hotseat for this morning’s pre-match press conference and he believes that there is still a chance that the 71-year-old could still manage the side against the South American’s.
“Maybe he will be at the match, he’s very strong,” Tardelli said after Dr. Byrne confirmed he is in a stable condition after blood tests, urine tests, x-rays and an ECG.
Updates are expected later in the day when more test results are confirmed but at the moment he is only rated 50/50 at best to be in the dugout by 7.45 tomorrow.
Tardelli did name a probable starting XI in Trapattoni’s absence, although there are doubts over Richard Dunne and Kevin Doyle, with knee and calf injuries respectively, meaning Cillian Sheridan and Darren O’Dea are both on standby to step into the lurch.
“I can’t confirm the team because there are two doubts. After training today it will be possible to say whether they play in the match or not.
Still, despite the managerial absence Tardelli will need to get the players to focus on the task ahead, particularly with Barcelona start Lionel Messi expected to start.
When questioned on how he thinks the Irish should combat arguably the greatest player in the world, the 55 year old World Cup winner was adamant that the side will set out in the same way as always.
He did, however, admit that Keith Andrews and Derby County’s Paul Green, who will earn just his 3rd cap in the absence of Glenn Whelan, must pay special attention to Messi. Set pieces, meanwhile, must also be targeted against a “clever, smart and strong” Argentina
“We want to play like the last time and our own football. Messi is a very good player and it’s impossible to decide how to stop him. I think Green and Andrews can perhaps pay more attention to him. “All of our players must help each other, they (Argentina) are a strong team and very clever and we need to pay attention. Also, their set pieces are very dangerous.”
As expected, Shay Given will start in goal, with Paul McShane, John O’Shea and Kevin Kilbane certainties at the back, while Richard Dunne is expected to take his place after returning to training today.
Liam Lawrence, meanwhile was a late omission from the squad after picking up a strain and Birmingham City’s Keith Fahey has replaced him, while Andrews and Green will anchor the middle as Damien Duff will line out on the left flank.
Up front Robbie Keane will earn his 100th cap, to be partnered by Doyle or possibly Sheridan if the Wolves’ striker’s knock isn’t cleared up.
Ireland (probable): Given; McShane, Dunne, O’Shea, Kilbane; Fahey, Andrews, Green, Duff; Keane, Doyle.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile