Giovanni Trapattoni has lost another frontline player to injury after Celtic announced Aiden McGeady could not join up with the Republic of Ireland squad at the weekend.
After a scan on McGeady’s knee ligament injury the Glasgow club said the winger was in need of between three and five weeks’ rest.
The Italian revealed last night that Richard Dunne, Kevin Kilbane and James McCarthy would also be absent for the friendly games against Paraguay and Algeria at the RDS next week.
Fulham full-back Stephen Kelly is expected to join the squad at the weekend, however, along with Portsmouth’s Marc Wilson, while all the players involved in the training camp thus far, are expected to remain until after the Algeria game on May 28th.
Trapattoni has not actually named an squad official squad for the game against Paraguay on Tuesday but senior players such as Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Damien Duff, Sean St Ledger and Glen Whelan are expected to arrive over the weekend.
Everton defender Shane Duffy, who impressed agains the under-23s last night, has yet to receive international clearance to play in an official game and is therefore out of contention for a place, as it stands at least.
Trapattoni, meanwhile, has welcomed speculation surrounding Doyle and a possible move to Arsenal, after rumours that Arsene Wenger may target the Wolves striker in the summer transfer window gathered momentum this week.
Reports have suggested the Gunners manager is prepared to pay over €10 million for the Wexfordman and Trapattoni insisted this afternoon that Doyle is “ready” to play for a top four side.