SOCCER/ World Cup 2006 qualifiers: Shay Given remained Brian Kerr's only significant injury concern yesterday as the Newcastle United goalkeeper sat out the Republic of Ireland squad's first training session in the build-up to Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv.
The 28-year-old was joined on the sidelines yesterday by Kenny Cunningham, who is suffering from a minor thigh strain, but it is Given's hip injury, picked up prior to Saturday's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth, that looks to be the major worry ahead of this afternoon's departure for Israel.
"I've had the problem since Friday, when I got a sharp twinge in the hip," said Given. "I had a fitness test before the game and that went okay, but then when the first half got started it got really sore. I ended up getting a painkilling injection and got through the rest of the match, but it's still not right.
"It's okay when I walk around but when I've tried to do any work on it or attempted any wider movement at all it's been quite painful.
"The hope is that if I can give it four or five days' rest this week then it will be all right . . . It's a little hard to tell to be honest because I haven't had too many injuries. All I can do in the circumstances is to leave it for as long as possible."
Kerr, who hasn't been without Given since his chief rival for the goalkeeper's jersey, Dean Kiely, retired from international football in 2003, said little about the problem last night, merely acknowledging that the player is carrying the knock. But the Ireland manager looks almost certain to start with the Donegalman unless his injury worsens over the course of the week.
The other absentee from yesterday's run-out in Portmarnock was Matt Holland, who was forced to cancel his flight to Dublin due to his wife having been hospitalised in England.
The Charlton midfielder would now appear to be doubtful for the trip, although Kerr says he still expects the player to travel. "Matt has been delayed but we expect him in before we go," said the manager last night. "His wife had an accident," he explained, "and she underwent surgery today."
In the absence of the three players, 19 of Kerr's squad took part in yesterday's session and there was no suggestion afterwards that the manager will call up either Steven Reid or Rory Delap, both of whom have been on standby since the panel was named last week.
Don Givens, however, expects Celtic's Aiden McGeady to be drafted into the senior panel for the game against China at Lansdowne Road next Tuesday once his side's under-21 qualifier in Tel Aviv is out of the way.
McGeady himself, whose form in Scotland has steadily improved as the season has progressed, admitted to having initially been disappointed not to make the senior panel but conceded yesterday that Kerr's decision was probably for the best.
"Brian phoned to tell me why I wasn't in the squad for the Israeli game and his reasons were fair," said the teenager. "The fact is that I was unlikely to play whereas this way I'll hopefully be in with a chance of playing 90 minutes for Don and maybe catch Brian's eye in the process."
Givens has called up Manchester United's Paul McShane and Kevin Doyle of Cork City for Friday's match in Israel.
The pair replace Tottenham's Stephen Kelly and David Bell of Rushden and Diamonds, who both withdrew yesterday because of injury.
Israel's star midfielder, Yossi Benayoun, continues to struggle with a knee injury that could yet keep him out of Saturday's game. The Racing Santander midfielder appeared to be recovering well having come through his club side's 3-2 win at Numancia on Sunday without any apparent problems. Yesterday, however, he lasted 10 minutes of the squad's first session before being forced to rest.
Israel's star player with three goals to his credit during the campaign so far, Benayoun's fitness will be now a major worry for the Israel management team over the coming days although, given his importance, he is still expected to start on Saturday.
