Soccer - Team news:Just when relations between Giovanni Trapattoni and James McCarthy appeared to have found some form of cordial resting place following the Wigan midfielder's competitive debut against Macedonia in March, the player's refusal to answer the latest call seems to have sent his manager into an exasperated tailspin.

When the Italian was this afternoon expressing his bemusement at Anthony Stokes's explanation of "tiredness" for his withdrawal from the squad ahead of four internationals, he revealed another player had yet to be in contact despite numerous attempts to get a hold of him.

Assembled journalists soon clocked the identity of the player when he was conspicuously absent from the rescheduled training session in Malahide later in the afternoon. The missing link put the manager’s earlier quotes into context because, unlike Stokes, McCarthy is a player whose foibles the Italian appeared willing to endure for the greater good.

“Young players have a fun job," he said at the press briefing where he named a provisional side to face Northern Ireland in the Carling Nations Cup at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow night. "It is not a job like the working man’s. It is not a difficult job. For me it is an 11-month holiday. I played 70 games every season - national, championship, Europe.

“It is unbelievable, so we must educate our players. We are lucky and we have to enjoy playing football. It is a fine life. It is a new generation. Sometimes there is more pressure now but players should understand how beautiful our job is.

“Injuries are injuries, but they should visit our doctor,” he added. “That is the rule. If they are asked by the national team they must go. If they are in hospital or they are dead, that is okay, but if there is an injury they should see our doctor.”

Naturally, given McCarthy’s anonymity at this stage, an explanation for his absence was unforthcoming, but Stokes at least called in his unavailability, even if his reasoning didn’t hold much water.

One theory is that the young Scot is not keen on playing against his homeland for the first time on Sunday, considering the abuse he suffered during his days at Hamilton after he followed Aiden McGeady’s lead in declaring for Ireland. However, the squad was named on May 4th and Trapattoni would reasonably expect a little more transparency with a Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje on June 4th.Another player Trapattoni was irked by was Colorado Rapids forward Celeb Folan, who was also ‘out of coverage’ in America, while it was a surprise for the manager to see Newcastle United striker Leon Best return from injury against West Brom on Sunday.

Considering the absentees already confirmed, it makes for grim reading for fans and management alike.

Defender Richard Dunne pulled out after Aston Villa’s final game of the season yesterday due to shoulder and Achilles complaints. Neither injury is thought serious but with Dunne suspended for the only competitive fixture of the quartet against Macedonia on June 4th, he has been allowed to rest.

Trapattoni has also lost Ciaran Clark from his original squad, while Manchester United pair John O’Shea and Darron Gibson will not join up until after the Champions League final on Saturday.

Shane Long and Kevin Kilbane are preparing for play-off finals with Reading and Huddersfield respectively, while some players will not arrive until tonight or even tomorrow after their domestic seasons finished only yesterday. It's possible McCarthy might be one of them but there was no indication that was expected.

“Up to now I don’t know which squad I will have,” said the manager. “Just like the Irish weather, it is unpredictable. Now I wait on players.

"I have players having scans and I hope they will be ready,” he added, referring to Keith Fahey and Liam Lawrence, who will start tomorrow if fit. “After training today we can see the players. Some are coming this evening and this afternoon. Then after tomorrow we have a day of possibility to check on options.”

If neither are fit, Seamus Coleman will start in the place of the Lawrence on the right wing, while Kevin Foley will join Keith Andrews in central midfield.

West Brom forward Simon Cox will also win his first cap alongside captain Robbie Keane.

The match has failed to capture the imagination of supporters but Trapattoni is convinced it will still be a worthwhile exercise. He believes the familiarity of the players will make for a competitive encounter which will stand his team in good stead.

“I think every game, when the game starts, it is a game. Some players they know (each other) because they play in England. I think it can be a good game. I don’t know how many players will be missing, some important players will be missing for us. But 90 minutes is 90 minutes and it will be a good game with a good mentality. It will be an important game.”

Not important enough for some, it seems.

Republic of Ireland (probable) :Given; McShane, Kelly, Wilson, Delaney; Lawrence/Coleman, Andrews, Fahey/Foley, Treacy; Keane, Cox.

Northern Ireland:Blayney; Thompson, Cathcart, McAuley, Hodson, Carson, Clingan, Davis, Gorman, Feeney, McQuoid.