Trap hit with more withdrawals from Irish squad
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Giovanni Trapattoni has been hit by the news that Kevin Doyle and Marc Wilson have both pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad to face Serbia on Wednesday with Damien Delaney called up as a replacement.
The Boys in Green gathered on Sunday afternoon in Malahide ahead of the trip to Belgrade in preparation for the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers. However Doyle and Wilson weren’t part of the squad who had a light run out in Gannon Park after both confirmed they would not be joining up with the travelling party.
Doyle is suffering from an infected bruise after picking up a knock during Wolves’ narrow League Cup victory over Aldershot at the weekend and the 28-year-old will not report for duty with the squad due to the risk of deep vein thrombosis associated with air travel.
Meanwhile, Stoke defender Wilson has withdrawn with pro-dromal symptoms of a viral infection and the news comes as a setback for the 24-year-old who seemed to sort out his differences with the Irish tactician earlier in the year. But his absence gives Damien Delaney the chance to add to his five appearances in a green jersey and work his way into Trapattoni’s plans.
Sunderland’s James McClean and Leeds midfielder Paul Green were also missing but both will link up with their team mates on Monday while there are injury worries over Stephen Ward and Keith Treacy with a decision over their fitness to be made tomorrow.
Trapattoni said that he is very enthusiastic about the start of a new campaign and is looking forward to working with the younger players over the coming days. When asked about the availability of senior players for the remainder of the campaign, the Italian felt they would be very important and ready to play their part. He hinted at agreements with them to skip this friendly match and said that they remain an important part of his plans for the World Cup Qualification campaign.
It was also confirmed that following the withdrawal of Wes Hoolahan, the FAI contacted Norwich City over the availability of uncapped winger Anthony Pilkington but he picked up a hamstring injury over the weekend and therefore is unfit.
The Boys in Green begin their Group C qualifying campaign with a tough trip to Kazakhstan on 7th September before facing Oman in a friendly at Fulham’s Craven Cottage five days after.
