The fact that a training session that was supposed to start behind closed doors took place on a pitch separated from others being used by local club players by no more than a wire mesh suggests that secrecy may not the FAI's strong suit. But Giovanni Trapattoni, of course, never seems to have anything to hide.
The couple of FAW staff members who watched Ireland train last night in Newport probably got all that they'd come for from the session itself but, just in case, Trapattoni provided a few likely elements of the team immediately afterwards. The Italian confirmed that Keiren Westwood will start in a team that is likely to have Wes Hoolahan acting as a link to a lone striker with another used on the right side of midfield.
That, of course, was supposed to be the role earmarked for Anthony Pilkington but Trapattoni seemed unperturbed by the 25-year-old's fifth withdrawal from a squad, revealing without any hint of irritation that he simply told the player to get himself right for the games against Sweden and Austria next month.
“He hurt the ligaments and that’s a pity because it would have been a chance for us to see him but it’s not a problem,” he said. “I spoke to Wes Hoolahan about him and sent the player an SMS telling him to be patient because we need him in September when we have important qualifiers.”
Trapattoni brushed aside the suggestion that he might have dragged the player to Wales in order to have his injury assessed, insisting that the association’s medical staff have a good relationship with their counterparts at most clubs . Given how much of Norwich’s preseason he has missed, there really doesn’t seem much question that Pilkington’s problem is actually genuine.
Most local interest focuses on Gareth Bale’s fitness with the still Tottenham player currently in the Welsh squad but not expected to risk an injury that might scupper his much desired move to Spain. His club manager, Andre Villas-Boas, says he will not be fit enough to play for the Londoners next weekend which would suggest the club will withdraw him before Wednesday’s game here in Cardiff but as of last night there was no actual confirmation that he would not be involved.
Westwood gets to kick off what could be a very big season for him with a 16th international cap and the opportunity to press his case for numbers 17 and 18 in the event that David Forde is not fit for the games against Sweden and Austria.
Forde sees himself being back for the qualifiers although his employers are far less confident and Trapattoni is keenly aware of how important it is to boost his number two’s confidence in case the club is right.
“Yes, I want to help his morale by giving him the opportunity to start this game,” said Trapattoni who was speaking at the velodrome where Britain’s hugely successful cycling team trained for last year’s Olympics. “I think it’s important that I show him we have confidence in him so as to help him recover his.
“Usually the number one plays every game and when he doesn’t he can lose a little confidence and maybe make some mistakes so it’s important to be calm but we know what he can do and it is good that he will have this opportunity to remind us.”
With 23 players expected to have joined up with the squad by today he seemed happy enough with his range of options. Sean St Ledger became the latest player to withdraw from the squad on Saturday when Paddy Madden and Andy Keogh, both of whom trained last night, were called up. Others, though, including Kevin Doyle and Keith Andrews who moved on a season long loan from Bolton to Brighton, have again been overlooked.
Seven of those who did get the call missed last night’s first session with James McCarthy, James McClean, Jon Walters, Seamus Coleman and Paul Green all expected to arrive later in the evening before Darren O’Dea and Stephen Kelly complete the panel today.
