Harte latest to withdraw from Holland game

Ian Harte is struggling with a knee injury and has withdrawn from Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland squad that plays Holland…

Ian Harte is struggling with a knee injury and has withdrawn from Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland squad that plays Holland in an international friendly at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday.

The Levante clubman now joins goalkeeper Shay Given, defender Richard Dunne, midfielder Stephen Ireland and strikers Robbie Keane, Alan Lee and Terry Dixon on the sidelines.

Some 19 players are left fit for contention - Jonathan Douglas of Leeds and in-form Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy were added last night - and trained in Malahide this afternoon.

Newcastle's Damien Duff sat out the last 10 minutes of the session but is not an injury concern.  Staunton cited "a little tiredness".

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Liverpool's Steve Finnan completed only a light session owing to his involvement in yesterday's Community Shield match against Chelsea.

Captain Robbie Keane and Richard Dunne - both ruled out over the weekend - have had scans on their respective thigh and hamstring injuries.

Keane will be sidelined for some 10 days meaning there is little or no chance of him featuring in Tottenham's opening Premiership match away to Bolton on Saturday.

Crucially, though, it means Keane does have every chance of proving his fitness ahead of the Republic's all-important opening Euro 2008 qualifier with Germany in Stuttgart on September 2nd.

Dunne, though, may  not be as fortunate.  The defender has progressed dramatically in recent seasons and has cemented his position in the Irish side.

However, Staunton fears he is facing a longer spell out than Keane which could well see him short of vital match practice ahead of that trip to Germany.

Staunton, meanwhile, has not called in a replacement for Harte and, indeed, indicated no further additions will be made to his squad.

The manager, though, is now lacking in defensive options with just Finnan, Stephen Carr, Andy O'Brien and Stephen Kelly left as recognised defenders.

However, both Kevin Kilbane and, more so,  John O'Shea are both familiar with defensive roles and could well be deployed at the back on Wednesday.

"Its up to the players who play on Wednesday night to stake their claim in what will be a real test against top quality opposition", Staunton said.

Ajax midfielder Wesley Sneijder is out of the Dutch squad.  He and his partner are expecting a child and coach Marco van Basten has afforded him time off.

Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Theo Janssen is in as his replacement.