A SPATE OF injuries and withdrawals from the squad for the Norway game on Wednesday means Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni may look to youth.

Six players have pulled out of the tie while there are also doubts over defender Sean St Ledger, midfielder Paul Green and striker Kevin Doyle, who are undergoing tests later.

Young Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark was named in a revised squad on Friday but damaged a calf before his side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

Skipper Robbie Keane is out with an ankle injury, Kevin Kilbane hurt his back and Richard Dunne, Paul McShane and Caleb Folan have knee injuries. Man United midfielder Darron Gibson has not reported with his daughter ill in hospital.

Trapattoni said this morning at a press briefing in Dublin: “We are missing many injured players, but it is important in this friendly game to look at other young players.”

The likes of Coleman, Cunningham and Walters, it is very important for them and for us. The players, we know, but with us, they can increase in confidence and personality.

It will be important in the future that these players are available to us.