Soccer:Darron Gibson and Keith Andrews have both been left out of the Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria later this month but Reading defender Stephen Kelly returns to what is a provisional 29 man list of names.
The Everton is missing despite a return to action for Everton over the last month and an indication from club manager David Moyes that he was willing to return to the international fold. “I was in touch with him and he said that he is still not ready,” said Trapattoni..
“I saw him in the last game and I told him that I was there but he said that he didn’t want the controversy and he wanted to stay so I respect his decision.”
When asked if the northerner could return at some point in the future after refusing this call up, Trapattoni admitted: “Why not? He’s a good player and I won’t forget him.”
Keith Andrews misses out through injury with the Bolton Wanderers player having suffered an Achilles problem as he tried to progress hi recovery from what was originally a thigh strain.
Andy Keogh is also overlooked by Giovanni Trapattoni but the Italian has called Kelly back in the group which also includes the likes of Joey O’Brien, Jeff Hendrick and Conor Sammon. Trapattoni confirmed that he had spoken to Kelly since last month’s controversy but declined to elaborate. “Now, we just want to focus on the next game,” he said.
As he had said he would prior to today’s announcement, Trapattoni has left Richard Dunne out due to injury but Seamus Coleman and Marc Wilson both return after proving their fitness in recent weeks.
Republic of Ireland squad:
Westwood (Sunderland), Forde (Millwall), Randolph (Motherwell); O’Shea (Sunderland), St Ledger (Leicester), Clark (Aston Villa), Wilson (Stoke), Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Reading), O’Dea (Toronto), O’Brien (West Ham), McShane (Hull), Pearce (Reading), Ward (Wolves); Whelan (Stoke), McCarthy (Wigan), Green (Leeds), Hendrick (Derby), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Pilkington (Norwich), McClean (Sunderland), Brady (Hull); Keane (Los Angeles Galaxy), Long (West Brom), Doyle (Wolves), Sammon (Derby), Walters (Stoke), Cox (Nottingham Forest), Hoolahan (Norwich).
