Soccer

Best the only concern for Trapattoni

Soccer: While Leon Best will limp into the Republic of Ireland camp when they assemble in Malahide ahead of the Euro 2012 play…

Stephen Ward is congratulated by team-mates Kevin Doyle and Jamie O'Hara after scoring Wolves’s third goal against Wigan. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Stephen Ward is congratulated by team-mates Kevin Doyle and Jamie O'Hara after scoring Wolves’s third goal against Wigan. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Sun Nov 06 2011 - 00:00

Soccer:While Leon Best will limp into the Republic of Ireland camp when they assemble in Malahide ahead of the Euro 2012 play-offs, the Wolves contingent will arrive with a pep in their step after easing their relegation concerns against Wigan this afternoon.

Stephan Ward fired the final goal in Wolves’ 3-1 win at Molineux while Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle – suspended for the first leg of the play-offs against Estonia next Friday – also played prominent roles.

Glenn Whelan and Jon Walters may not be in such high spirits after their Stoke side was hammered 5-0 at Bolton while Damien Duff was unable to prevent Fulham losing 2-1 at home to London rivals Tottenham.

With Robbie Keane not in action for LA Galaxy until the early hours of tomorrow morning, it would appear the injury picked up by Leon Best yesterday is the only new concern for Giovanni Trapattoni and his management team.

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Best, along with John O’Shea and Shane Long, will be assessed by the Irish medical team with the latter two unlikely to play any part in either match. The Newcastle striker was only drafted into the squad as cover for Long but picked up a groin strain against Everton and was immediately rated doubtful by club manager Alan Pardew.

Elsewhere, Aiden McGeady endeared himself even more to the Spartak Moscow faithful with the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against city rivals Dynamo.

Kevin Kuranyi had fired Dynamo ahead in the first half but that was cancelled out by McGeady, who had already struck the woodwork, 12 minutes after the break to leave Spartak fourth in the final standings.

Republic of Ireland squad:Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall); John O'Shea (Sunderland), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City ), Darren O'Dea (Leeds Utd ), Paul McShane (Hull City); Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Keith Andrews (Ipswich Town), Keith Fahey (Birmingham City), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Andy Keogh (Leeds Utd), Damien Duff (Fulham), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Stephen Hunt (Wolves), Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth); Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolves) Shane Long (West Brom), Simon Cox (West Brom), Jon Walters (Stoke City), Leon Best (Newcastle Utd).