SOCCER EURO 2012 QUALIFYING: Estonia v Rep of Ireland:ROBBIE KEANE looks certain to be named by Giovanni Trapattoni this morning in the extended Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming Euro 2012 play-off games against Estonia after a senior member of the coaching staff at his club, LA Galaxy, suggested he is on course to be fit again over the next week or so.
“Robbie is making good progress,” Galaxy’s associate head coach Dave Sarachan said this week. “We’re monitoring, obviously, but each day has gotten a little bit better progressively. We’re hopeful that we’ll see him sooner or later.
“I can’t make any predictions at the moment, but we’re kind of pleased with the progress,” added Sarachan.
Keane hasn’t kicked a ball since the Euro 2012 qualifier in Andorra where he said he had injured himself while setting up a goal for Kevin Doyle.
The striker was ruled out for a month at that stage and is now reported to be back in very light training and it is being suggested in the United States that he could be fit enough to play some part, however small, in next week’s MLS second-leg play-off game against the New York Red Bulls.
“It’s hard to say,” observed Sarachan cautiously. “It’s a delicate thing because those injuries, if you rush too much, then you’re really set back. I think we’re doing the right things, taking it step by step and we’re hopeful that we’re going to be able to utilise him. We’re just not sure in what capacity.”
Trapattoni seems less likely to seriously pursue Shane Long’s availability after West Brom manager Roy Hodgson effectively ruled the striker out earlier in the week. However, the Italian may still include the 24-year-old on the basis it would make it easier to call him in at a later stage in the event his recovery from a knee injury is dramatically quicker than anticipated.
With Doyle suspended for the first leg, Long almost definitely out and Keane still a significant doubt, Jonathan Walters and Simon Cox are the front-runners to start in Tallinn, but Trapattoni may well look to broaden his options by adding at least one more striker to the group.
Leon Best has been out of favour of late and failed to win a recall even after a strong start to the premiership season with Newcastle that was shrugged off by the Italian earlier this month, but he may be more fortunate this time despite not scoring in any of his last three club games.
Caleb Folan has made a decent start to his MLS career and merits consideration too on the basis of his recent form. However, like Best his attitude has tended to alienate Trapattoni who has not been a major fan either of Anthony Stokes.
Stokes’ recent displays, and goals, for the Scottish outfit appear to have raised his hopes, at least a little in the wake of his previous problems with the Ireland manager.
“Honestly, I would love to be back in the international set-up,” said Stokes yesterday, “but there is nothing I can do if I don’t get in there. I am playing reasonably well at the moment and I am happy with my performances.
“I think there was a misunderstanding the last time. I only had three weeks off (in the summer) and I pulled out of the squad. But the way I did it was the way I was told. I went through the club, they spoke to the FAI from what I was told and I thought that was the way it was meant to be.
“I don’t know if it got lost in translation with Trapattoni but he selects the team and all I can do is do my best on the pitch and if the call-up comes it comes.
“I would love to be in any squad, it is such a big game for the country but we will see what happens. I still want to improve but if I get the call it would be great. If not I will just focus on my club football.”
Uefa have cleared up the case of mistaken identity that saw Keith Andrews booked against Armenia, overturning the yellow card the Republic of Ireland midfielder received in error from Spanish referee Eduardo Itturalde Gonzalez.
The booking has now been attributed to Aiden McGeady, who fouled Armenia’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the 66th minute of Ireland’s 2-1 win at the Aviva Stadium. Andrews had been in close proximity but replays showed he clearly made no contact with the Armenian goal scorer.
“The yellow card has now been assigned correctly to Aiden McGeady,” the FAI confirmed yesterday evening, “and Uefa has updated its records ahead of the forthcoming Uefa Euro 2012 play-off matches.”
