SOCCER Euro 2012 play-off, first leg:JOHN O'SHEA is a major doubt for the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2012 play-off first leg against Estonia on Friday, November 11th.
The Sunderland defender was substituted during his side’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Speaking after the game, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said: “It is a concern because it is the same one he did in Germany (on pre-season tour). It’s the same sort of thing he has done lifting his leg up.“I would have thought he would be a big doubt for Ireland’s games but he will have scans and we will know after that.”
O’Shea is scheduled to have scans on the injury today.
In other injury news, Leeds United manager Simon Grayson confirmed Darren O’Dea was suffering from concussion when he substituted after 30 minutes in yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Cardiff City.
“He (O’Dea) got a knock on the head in the last five minutes against Birmingham, suffered a bit of dizziness, declared himself fit yesterday after training, got a bang on it in the first part of the first half,” said Grayson.
“He had a lack of vision down one side and a bit of blurriness as well so he’s got concussion.”
Shane Long has been told not to speak to the media as he battles to return from a knee injury.
West Brom’s medical team reckon the Tipperary man will be out for up to six weeks after a horrific tackle from Alan Hutton at Aston Villa on October 22nd.
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has ignored the initial diagnosis and included the 24-year-old striker in the squad for the two-leg play-off. The normally outspoken Long was at the Hawthorns on Saturday but explained he had been gagged. “I’ve been told not to say anything,” he said.
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson described the decision to call Long into Trapattoni’s squad as “optimistic”.
“For me, his selection is fine. I just hope they won’t be too disappointed if the doctors’ prognosis turns out to be the correct one,” added Hodgson.
Trapattoni has chosen not to select Leon Best in the 26-man squad and the Newcastle United forward yesterday said he was “baffled” by the manager’s decision.
Best told TalkSport radio: Every time its mentioned it baffles me. Ive seen what Trapattonis been saying in the papers about workrate but he only needs to ring up Newcastle and ask for my stats, its as simple as that.
He added: Its the best time of my career so its not a matter of disappointment. It just made me sit back and think – whats going on here?
What have I done wrong or what more do I need to do because I was getting in the squad when I was playing in the championship and not playing every week so its totally baffled and confused me.
Kevin Doyle is suspended for the game in Tallinn and that just leaves Stoke City striker Jon Walters and West Brom’s Simon Cox, the latter has not started a Premier League game this season.
However, on a more positive note, Robbie Keane returned to action last night with LA Galaxy. The Ireland captain lasted 83 minutes before being substituted and hit the post after 10 minutes for his side in the first leg of the semi-final of the MLS Western Conference play-offs as his side beat New York Red Bulls 1-0.
Estonia v Rep of Ireland
Venue: Tallinn
Date:Friday, November 11th
