Best called up for Estonia play-off
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Leon Best has been called up for the Euro 2012 play-off against Estonia by Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
With West Bromwich Albion’s Shane Long expected to miss out with a knee injury and with Robbie Keane having been absentee for the final qualifier against Armenia with an strained abductor muscle sustained against Andorra, the Newcastle United striker has been added to the party.
Long’s club manager Roy Hodgson admitted he has no problem with Long travelling to Dublin to be assessed by the FAI’s medical team but maintained the Tipperary native is unlikely to be fit for at least another two weeks. Ireland’s first leg takes place in Tallinn on Friday, November 15, with the return in Dublin four days’ later.
“If they want to prove that by inviting him over and sending him back again, that’s okay with me,” Hodgson said. “But there is no way unfortunately he will be fit to play for us at the weekend or for Ireland. In fact, there is a lot of work to be done if he is going to be fit to play after the international break.”
Keane has played only 83 minutes for his club LA Galaxy since Andorra and with Kevin Doyle suspended for the first leg having been sent off against Armenia the Italian manager has boosted his attacking options with the player who has scored three times for Newcastle in the unbeaten start to the Premier League.
"Playing in Euro 2012 remains a dream,” Best said recently. "You have to believe it can happen, I am working as hard as I can and will simply keep going.”
Sunderland defender John O’Shea is also a considerable doubt for the first leg in eight days’ time with a hamstring complaint, although it is possible the former Manchester United player may be fit for the Dublin return.
"It's not that bad,” Sunderland manager Steven Bruce said. “We think it's a normal grade one and looking at the first game for Ireland next Friday. I would have thought he's a huge doubt,, which is a shame for the lad.
“It's typical of the luck he's had, unfortunately, since he's been here. They are probably the two biggest games he has been looking forward to. He might have a chance for the second one, but certainly I would have thought the first game would come a little bit too quickly for him.”
Elsewhere, Darren O’Dea was left out of Leeds United’s side in their humiliating 5-0 loss at the hands of Blackpool at Ellanr Road on Wednesday having picked up concussion in the 1-1 draw against Cardiff City on Sunday.
