Giovanni Trapattoni made it clear yesterday he expects James McCarthy to travel to New York this weekend with the Italian suggesting that if the midfielder is not injured it would be unacceptable to let down either the supporters or the rest of the team as the Republic of Ireland take on the world and European champions Spain at Yankee Stadium.

The 22-year-old has been allowed to leave Dublin as, along with Shane Long, he is suspended for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands but he is expected back in time for Saturday’s team flight to the United States.

Trapattoni acknowledged that it would be impossible for the player to participate in next Tuesday’s game if the groin problem he is said to have been carrying for the last week was causing him significant pain but simply wanting to spend time with his family, he suggested, would not be a good enough reason for staying behind.

Given the problems that McCarthy has had with the 74-year-old in the past, he will presumably take the warning seriously.

"I think he is 90 per cent certain to come," said the Italian. "He has two or three situations to sort out but it is important for him to travel and he would benefit from even 30 minutes against the Spanish; it would help the development of his personality.

'Deserve respect'
"He has never said that he won't go," continued the Italian, "and I know I would never have turned down such an opportunity but he does have a little bit of pain in the groin.

“If he has pain it would be impossible for him to play but I hope he can; Spain have agreed to this game and the Irish supporters in New York deserve respect, our players must understand this. It’s only three days and for me it’s incredible that anyone would say that they need to rest. In 1982, when Juventus won the championship, Marco and seven other players went to the World Cup and we then went on to Washington where we met (then vice-president George) Bush and played a friendly.

“Afterwards the players had eight days of rest before starting again and that season they played 77 games in the league and cups (some of Trapattoni’s details look to be a little off here but his general point was clear). That takes discipline but we are professionals, this is the job and in this case the FAI have made a commitment, the Irish people have paid for tickets to come and see us so we must go.”

Trapattoni's more immediate concern is the qualifying game which, he suggested, both Richard Dunne and Wes Hoolahan are "90 per cent" certain to start.

The 10 per cent worth of doubt, it seems, is down to the manager’s slight anxiety regarding the condition in which they and other players might return to him last night after being left to their own devices, without a curfew, in the wake of Sunday’s game.

“Yes, Richard is 90 per cent,” he said, “ but I’m not a magician (someone who could see into the future). Yesterday they went, some with their wives, some to drink beer and,” he observed with a smile, “maybe they could have an accident. When he comes back I will call him and the others.

"But it's good that they were able to relax after the game against England and yesterday. One day off, away from the same faces all the time, is important and I think it will be good for them."

Good shape
They will need to be in good shape if, in addition to the win that is absolutely necessary against the Faroes, some headway is to made on closing the advantage of 10 that Austria currently enjoy over Ireland in terms of goal difference.

Trapattoni pointed to the fact that the Austrians generate goals from all over the pitch; a knack, he rarely tires of pointing out these days, Ireland could do with acquiring.

In fact, aside from their leading scorer David Alaba, who has three goals, six other Austrians have scored so far in this campaign, compared to Jon Walters and five others for the Irish.

Four of the other Austrians have scored twice whereas none of the other Irish have but the greater difference is in the goals against column, with the six conceded by his side against Germany weighing heavily on them now.

Still, he feels that the situation is improving for Ireland with the emergence of Marc Wilson and Séamus Coleman giving the side “30 per cent” more attacking capability down the right and left flanks.

Hoolahan might add a little more through the centre, too, but the Italian didn’t quantify the impact the midfielder might have.

The Dubliner’s more enthusiastic advocates wouldn’t be shy about bandying some big numbers about. It seems we are finally about to find out if their faith is well-founded.