Soccer: Manchester City defender Richard Dunne has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for Tuesday's friendly international against Canada at Lansdowne Road.

Manager Brian Kerr's decision to bring in the centre back comes after the withdrawal of Steve Finnan, Andy O'Brien and Gary Breen through injury.

Finnan's club Liverpool said yesterday the full back had suffering medial knee ligament damage and was in need of rest.

Newcastle United pulled O'Brien out of the squad early yesterday because of ankle ligament problems while Breen has been denied the opportunity of adding to his 60 caps due to a knee complaint, according to his club Sunderland.

Dunne, who has 19 caps, last played for his country in a friendly against Turkey in September, a match in which he scored the late equaliser.

He has recently won his place back in the heart of the Manchester City defence after overcoming fitness and weight problems problems earlier in the season and City manager has since praised the "new look" Dunne for the efforts he made to win his first-team recall at City.

Dunne is likely to play some part in Tuesday's game as the injuries to O'Brien and Breen have left Kerr with just other two recognised central defenders, John O'Shea and Kenny Cunningham.

Kerr's squad, which includes a number of new faces, will assemble today in Portmarnock ahead of the match and will train in Malahide tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Barry Ryan has confirmed he will be appealing the 15-month ban imposed on him by the FAI's Independent Doping Tribunal last week.

In a statement issued through the 25-year-old's solicitors, Ryan revealed he was "shocked and disappointed at the decision and, in particular, the length of the suspension".

The statement went on to say the player would "take whatever steps he feels are necessary in order to vindicate his rights".