Trap announces revised squad for Croatia

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni today reduced his squad for next week’s friendly against Croatia at the Aviva Stadium from 32 players to 25.

Sunderland’s John O’Shea(hamstring), Spartak Moscow winger Aiden McGeady (ankle ligaments), defenders Paul McShane(calf) of Hull City and Kevin Foley of Wolves miss out through injury.

The experienced Kevin Kilbane of Derby County and Portsmouth’s Liam Lawrence are excused from duty due to club commitments.

Aston Villa’s Ciaran Clark is the other player left out of the squad having been named in the original 32, this is reportedly so Trapattoni can have another look at Stephen Ward at left back.

The Italian is using the Croatia match as preparation for the Euro 2012 qualifying games against Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium and Russia in Moscow next month. He said "I intend to use the game against Croatia at Aviva Stadium next week to have the confirmation of a few options ahead of our September matches against Slovakia and Russia.”

Revised squad for Croatia match:

Goalkeepers: Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, David Forde

Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Stephen Kelly, Stephen Ward, Richard Dunne, Sean St. Ledger, Darren O’Dea, Damien Delaney

Midfielders: Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Keith Andrews, Keith Fahey, Andy Keogh, Damien Duff, Stephen Hunt, James McCarthy, Keith Treacy, Marc Wilson

Forwards: Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Jon Walters, Shane Long, Simon Cox.