Soccer: Giovanni Trapattoni's decision on who to start at left back against Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night may well be made for him after Kevin Kilbane was forced to sit out training today with a back strain.
The veteran aggravated the injury when training with the squad in Malahide yesterday and though it’s not thought to be serious the fact the home game is up first before a trip to Moscow may see Stephen Ward make his competitive debut after he impressed in the carling Nations Cup and the 2-0 friendly win over Italy.
Otherwise, Trapattoni’s assistant Marco Tardelli said today there were no other worries ahead of the crucial Euro 2012 Group B qualifiers against the two sides who share top spot with the Republic of Ireland.
“There’s a problem with Kevin Kilbane in the back, but the other players are okay,” he said. Pressed as to whether that meant Ward was the favourite to start, he added: “Well, it’s good that it’s only Tuesday and I think that it’s possible that Kilbane will feel well in time for the game. I think it’s possible he will be able to play, then it will be a question for Giovanni.”
Captain Robbie Keane will arrive from LA Galaxy in time for "dinner", while Shay Given was also expected in having spent time recovering from his own back complaint with his club Aston Villa. Keane looks sure to start up front on Friday but Tardelli, like his boss yesterday, was enthusiastic about the options available in the final third
“We have to make decisions but that’s normal. Better to have two or three strikers.”
Seán St Ledger, Shane Long and Darren O’Dea, who all sat it out yesterday were back on the training pitch today, as was John O’Shea who came through his first 90 minutes of the season for Sunderland at the weekend.
“Yes, it’s better for us. At least he’s rested. I saw him on the training field and he’s good,” said the Italian before praising Spartak Moscow’s Aiden McGeady, another player who has just returned from injury.
McGeady has played just three minutes since mid-June after suffering an ankle injury but he was straight on the plane to Dublin and trained yesterday as well as today.
His dedication has never been in doubt but the move to Russia has added something extra to his game, according to Tardelli.
“He looks very, very well. I think McGeady now is a very good player. Maybe he needed to go to Russia to add something to the game he played in Scotland, but I think that now he is very important for us.”
Given the praise the winger has earned from both coaches this week, it is unlikely he will be given any more time off come Friday and his familiarity with next week’s opponents and the venue may well see him emerge as a key man there too.
For now, though, the focus is on Slovakia, who Tardelli insists will be a “very tough team”, who don’t score much but are “strong in defence”, meaning the ideal early goal will be no mean feat.
“We will try always but sometimes the teams make it difficult for us. If it’s possible of course it’s best to score early.
