Giovanni Trapattoni has named eight uncapped players in a development squad to train in Malahide before Ireland face World Cup participants Paraguay and Algeria in the final week of May. More senior players, such as Robbie Keane and Damien Duff, are expected to join the squad on May 22nd. But the Italian revealed that Shay Given, who dislocated his left shoulder at the weekend, may not be the only absentee:
"Everyone is available, (but) Richard Dunne has a problem in his achilles tendon, it could be dangerous (to play).- Also (Keith) Andrews has a problem in the groin."
Former St.Patrick's Athletic star Keith Fahey is among the uncapped players included in the party, along with Paul Green of Derby County, Sunderland's David Meyler and Stephen Ward of Wolves.
Also in the group is Everton defender Shane Duffy. Who, as a native of Derry represented Northern Ireland up to under 21 level. But Trapattoni revealed that the 18 year old is not yet able to play for the Republic:
"Duffy can train with us, but cannot play against Paraguay, we wait on FIFA clearance documentation."
Duffy may feature in an (as yet not arranged) "B" international in which the Coach is hopeful to face an English club side.
After previous squad announcements, the septuagenarian has come in for heavy criticism from players who feel aggrieved at their omission, suggesting they have been given a cold shoulder. Trapattoni chose to pre-empt these strikes by sending out a message
'Show me you have the quality, show me the mentality to fit my system." and restated his open door policy insisting that nobody was being frozen out.
"In the past we have called them (omitted players) to say: you must believe in your quality, we will follow you."
Trapattoni's squad announcement was preceded by the unveiling of Tayto as an official partner of the FAI. Raymond Coyle of Largo Foods imtimated the deal was one year long, with a possible extension if deemed successful. But Coyle was less forthcoming regarding the value of the deal saying guardedly: "its as much as we can afford."
Training squad in full:
Keiren Westwood (Coventry City) Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United) Brian Murphy (Ipswich Town), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Eddie Nolan (Sheffield Wednesday) Paul McShane (Hull City), Shane Duffy (Everton) Kevin Foley, Stephen Ward, Andy Keogh (all Wolves) Marc Wilson (Portsmouth) Darren O'Dea (Reading) Keith Treacey (Preston North End) Darron Gibson (Manchester United) James McCarthy (Wigan) Liam Lawrence (Stoke City) David Meyler (Sunderland) Keith Fahey (Birmingham City) Paul Green (Derby County) Caleb Folan ( Hull City) Leon Best (Newcastle United) Shane Long (Reading) Anthony Stokes (Hibernian).
*Uncapped players underlined
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