Trapattoni resists call-up opportunity
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Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has resisted the calls to include Newcastle United’s Leon Best and Anthony Stokes of Celtic in the squad for next month’s two-legged Euro 2012 play-off against Estonia.
Wolves’ Kevin Doyle is suspended for the first leg in Tallinn after his sending off in the final qualifier against Armenia at the Aviva earlier this month, while doubts over skipper Robbie Keane’s fitness appeared to leave Ireland short of attacking options, especially as Shane Long of West Bromwich Albion is expected to miss both fixtures.
All three were today named in the Italian’s 26-man squad, although the participation of Long remains questionable at best. After being the recipient of a reckless challenge from Aston Villa’s Alan Hutton last weekend, the former Reading striker suffered severe bone bruising and a small chip to the bone inside his knee. Only yesterday his club manager Roy Hodgson effectively ruled him out of international participation, stating he expected Long to be absent for at least six weeks.
"It is a blow for Ireland and a big blow to Shane," said Hodgson. "But it looks like they can fill the gap and maybe Simon Cox can help them."
Keane, who suffered an abductor muscle injury against Andorra and was forced to miss the Armenian game, this week resumed light training with his club LA Galaxy, who are due to play Thierry Henry’s New York Red Bulls in the play-offs, with the first leg taking place tomorrow (Saturday).
"It's a delicate thing because those injuries, if you rush too much, then you're really set back,” Galaxy head coach Dave Sarachan said. “I think we're doing the right things, taking it step by step and we're hopeful that we're going to be able to utilise him. We're just not sure in what capacity."
Ironically, no Irish player has scored more than they six goals this season than Stokes has netted for Celtic, albeit in the Scottish Premier League, while Best’s three Premier League strikes this term is only matched by Long. However, the Dubliner’s plea for a recall this week has been overlooked for the tie.
Ireland take on Estonia, who finished second in their qualifying group behind Italy but ahead of Serbia, Slovenia and Northern Ireland in Tallinn’s A Le Coq Arena on Friday, November 11 before the home leg in Dublin four days later.
"There is no room for complacency as we prepare for our two games next month,” Trapattoni said on the upcoming fixtures. “We will remember that Estonia have as much right to be in the play-off as ourselves. They have had some very good results in their group beating Serbia and Slovenia. They also caused Italy a lot of problems. These games will be a huge challenge for us, and we must maintain the correct mentality from start to finish."
Goalkeepers: Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, David Forde.
Defenders: John O'Shea, Stephen Kelly, Stephen Ward, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Darren O'Dea, Paul McShane.
Midfielders: Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Keith Andrews, Keith Fahey, Darron Gibson, Andy Keogh, Damien Duff, Aiden McGeady, Stephen Hunt, Liam Lawrence.
Forwards: Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Jonathan Walters, Simon Cox.
