Damien Duff has emerged as an injury concern for Giovanni Trapattoni ahead of the World Cup qualifying double-header against Italy and Montenegro, after the winger hobbled off eight minutes into Fulham’s Premier League game against Arsenal.
The sight of the Dubliner leaving the Craven Cottage pitch so early will be a real concern to his international manager, even though there is still a fortnight to go before the world champions pitch up at Croke Park.
Duff’s form has been encouraging since his move back to the Premier League from Newcastle and his absence will be more keenly felt if Celtic’s Aiden McGeady, who did not feature for the Scottish Premier League leaders this afternoon, fails to recover from the ankle knock he suffered during the week.
Trapattoni, though, will be encouraged by Robbie Keane’s four goals against Burnley at White Hart Lane. The Ireland captain brought his season’s tally to five with his hefty haul, his first goals in front of his home fans since returning from Liverpool last January.
John O’Shea also hit the net for Manchester United as they beat Stoke City 2-0 at the Brittania Stadium, where Liam Lawrence and Glenn Whelan also emerged unscathed for the homeside.
At Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce opted against risking fit-again Steven Reid in their 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
