SEAN ST LEDGER has been ruled out of Ireland’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Germany and the Faroe Islands.
The centre-half pulled up with a hamstring injury during Leicester City’s 2-0 win against Bristol City and was described by manager Giovanni Trapattoni as “without chance” of making either match following the squad’s first training session in Malahide this morning.
Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark has been called up and is expected to join the squad later today.
Trapattoni’s injury headache is set to get worse before it gets better with Glenn Whelan all but certain to miss Friday evening’s game in Dublin and a major doubt for the trip to Torshavn next week. The midfielder was forced off after just 20 minutes of Stoke City’s scoreless draw against Liverpool yesterday and is due to undergo a scan in Dublin today.
Although Trapattoni initially gave Whelan a 10% chance of featuring, the Italian explained he would not be risked if there are any doubts about his fitness and conceded that he is likely to return to his club.
“I said to him to be careful because the hamstring, this muscle is very dangerous,” Trapattoni said. “He answered me [and said ] ‘It’s ok, I have been running for two days. I will be ready for our game.’ After 20 minutes, he went out.
“I don’t want to run the risk.”
Trapattoni must also wait on Sunderland winger James McClean who is due to have a scan on a hip injury. Jonathan Walters took no part in training to allow him to rest following his involvement with Stoke on Sunday. Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane are both expected to join up with the squad later today.
Great news about Ciaran Clark being in and also Glen Whelan being out!!
About time Clarke got a chance. Playing regularly and well in premier league. No brainier.
Maybe injuries will mean Trap will be forced to play his best team.
Let’s see McCarthy, Clark, Colman & Long all start.
No doubt he’ll try & start Cox on the wing & Green in centre midfield instead
He’s probably trying to convince Johnny Giles to come back in centre mid
This match is starting to look like torture.
That’s great Clarke is been brought in:)
Coybig
IVE A GOOD FEELING ABOUT THIS GAME ,,COTBIG
Are you German?
About time clark got a call up!
I cant imagine Trap being the conservative man he is will decide that playing the bloody Germans is the right time to play 4 strikers and McGeady!
@Shane – yep you are probably right? I had his favourite sons Keane and Keogh more as midfielders? What is your first 11 so?
My team would be
Westwood
Foley
O’Shea
Clark
Ward
Coleman
McCarthy
Andrews
McClean
Long
Walters
Can’t see Coleman startin.
Westwood
Kelly
O Shea
O Dea
Ward
Mcgeady
Andrews
McCarthy
Cox
Long
Keane
spot on noelly, 99% sure that’ll be the team
Second guessing but putting my Trap hat on -
Westwood
Ward
O’Shea
O’Dea
Kelly
McGeady
McCarthy
Fahey
Andrews
Cox
Keane
That could be his team ok? What is your 11?
Id say your right.. Walters should be in there though to throw himself around but Trap loves Cox. No pun intended!
I put our fullbacks on opposite sides MY “MondaY Moment” (try it) – get 50+ thumbs down – well spotted – pat on back :)
So MY team for Friday ( the team I would like to see picked – in old fashioned shirt numbers) would be
1. Westwood (GK)
2. Coleman (RFB)
3. Ward (LB)
5. Clark (CH)
6. O’Shea (CH)
4. McCarthy (Centre Holding Midfield)
8. Cox (Centre Midfield – risky but I like him ….. no jokes)
7. McGeady (Right Midfield – cos he is Sh1te on the left)
11. McClean (Left side midfield)
10. Long (behind CF – in Rooney role. Shane Long can play this role)
9. Walters ( Centre Forward)
No Keith Andrews who was our best player at Euro12. I know Coleman & McGeady on right could struggle defensively?
But no one expects us to get anything against the Germans especially after the embarrassing players performance against Kazakhstan. I think this team could get us at least a point?
Again it is MY team selection, I don’t expect everyone to agree but I’m not the manager.
COYBIG
il be at the game and i hope im proved wrong, but i fear the gulf in class- both technical and tactical will be exposed by ze Germans. We simply do not retain possession and if we do manage to keep the ball, its along the back 4. We were exposed at the Euro’s, albeit by far superior teams but i also think that we could have given a far better account of ourselves- tactics/ team selection all wrong.
Bring back Stephen Ireland and quickly !!!!
The germans will come to town with theyre homework done. They are surely rubbing thier hands with glee. Opposing them on Friday night will be a team devoid of cohesion organisation and belief. No matter what they may say to the press, the players have lost all confidence in this manager and an early German goal will compound this. 3- 0 germany and the begiinning of the end for trapatoni.
My Team for Friday – With O’Shea and Clark in middle of back with Coleman left full and Ward right back.
McGeady, McClean,McCarthy and Cox in Midfield with Walters and Long up front? But everyone will have different opinion?
Republic of Ireland
• Westwood
• O’Shea
• Coleman
• Ward
• C.Clark
• McCarthy
• McGeady
• McClean
• Walters
• Cox
• Long
I think Trap will pick
Republic of Ireland
• Westwood
• O’Shea
• Kelly
• Ward
• O’Dea
• McCarthy
• McGeady
• Keogh
• Walters
• Keane
• Long
That/those teams are bonkers! Coleman left back and Ward right back? ehh..
I know it ain’t perfect – so tell us Con your starting 11?
So Ken, our team ain’t great anyway but you want a RB to play LB and vice versa?
No Conor Flynn – that was my “MondaY Momment” :)
I meant Coleman RB and Ward LB and the team I would like us to play on Friday is
• Westwood
• Ward
• Coleman
• Ward
• O’Shea
• McCarthy
• McGeady
• McClean
•Cox
• Walters
• Long
• Westwood
• Ward
• Coleman
• C.Clark
• O’Shea
• McCarthy
• McGeady
• McClean
•Cox
• Walters
• Long
:)
I predict a comprehensive German win. There is no reason to be optimistic about this game. The positive side is that a damaging result/performance could bring about Trap’s departure this month, an outcome that would certainly be widely welcomed.
If we had a full squad to pick from the Germans would have known our set up and tactics to a tee, now with a few injuries and different players in ye starting XI maybe their plans have been messed up and we sneak a cheeky 1-0 ;)
I’d take that but it seems unlikely, especially considering the fact that Germany have never lost a World Cup qualifying fixture away from home. That’s an 80 year unbeaten run. Somehow, I can’t see us being the team to end it. A draw would be a fantastic result.