Trap hints at O'Shea-O'Dea partnership
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Giovanni Trapattoni's injury woes continued to mount as the Republic of Ireland squad assembled on Monday morning ahead of this week's crucial World Cup qualifier double bill against Germany and the Faroe Islands.
Already without the services of stalwarts Damien Duff and Shay Given as a result of retirement, Darron Gibson through international exile and Richard Dunne and Kevin Doyle thanks to injury, the Irish boss was hit by the news that the ever present Sean St Ledger is all but ruled out of the Group C encounter after picking up a hamstring injury during Leicester's game with Bristol City at the weekend.
With his defensive ranks looking depleted, Trapattoni has called upon the services of Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark despite a seemingly unhealthy relationship between the pair after Clark criticised the Italian before last month's victory over Kazakhstan. The 23-year-old is expected to join up with the squad on Monday evening along with captain Robbie Keane and Darren O'Dea who jet in from America while Spartak Moscow winger Aiden McGeady will also join the injury ravaged squad.
With Stoke's Glenn Whelan also a major doubt, the 73-year-old was dealt a further blow with the news that James McClean will miss the German match after the winger picked up a hip injury in Sunderland's defeat at Man City.
A spokesman for the FAI said: "The results of James McClean's scan this morning in Sunderland showed a grade one hip flexor strain which will certainly rule him out for the Germany match and may exclude him for the Faroe Islands.
"McClean will remain at his club to receive treatment."
Speaking to the assembled media in Malahide, Trappatoni hinted that John O'Shea is likely to play alongside Darren O'Dea at the heart of the defence with either one of Seamus Coleman, Stephen Kelly or Paul McShane filling the right back berth against the side ranked second in the world.
The likely absence of Whelan means David Meyler may be in line to start in the engine room with the former Cork City midfielder operating in a three man midfielder alongside James McCarthy and the returning Keith Andrews during a training game on Monday morning.
“Germany are a strong team. We know about their qualities and offensive potential,” he said. “They are one of the strongest in the Europe and the world. We will try to play well against them, we don’t need excuses.” Trapattoni said.
“I spoke to their players about their enthusiasm levels. Like any manager, I am looking for players to commit 100%, as with Doyle last time, when he came off the bench to score a goal."
