Soccer:Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is confident skipper Robbie Keane and veteran defender Richard Dunne will be fit to line out against Macedonia in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier.
The 30-year-old, who has scored 45 goals in 104 senior appearances for Ireland, has managed just a few minutes as a substitute in West Ham’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Stoke since returning from a four-game lay-off with a calf injury.
Keane, who is on loan at Upton Park from Tottenham, was unable to play against his parent club on Saturday under the terms of the agreement between them as the sides fought out a 0-0 Premier League draw.
However, he met up with the Republic squad in Dublin last night and trained this morning, and Trapattoni will have no qualms about throwing one of his most experienced campaigners straight back into the starting line-up.
The Italian said: “I am confident about Robbie. He can start the game and maybe after 60 minutes, we can look at other options. But we need experience in this game. We have to rely on pride and experience in this game.
“I saw Robbie in training and I am very confident of getting a good result.”
Trapattoni is also hopeful that Dunne, who joined his teammates this afternoon, will be able to take his place in the heart of the Irish defence.
The 31-year-old stayed at Aston Villa for a further day of physio as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury amid speculation over his future at the club following a much-publicised outburst during a bonding session.
Whatever his status at Villa Park, Dunne remains a key member of the Ireland team and, with John O’Shea having withdrawn from the squad with a hamstring injury, his presence is vital.
“The Villa physio said it would be better to stay one more day,” added Trapattoni.
The James McCarthy saga has also been put to bed with Trapattoni delighted to be back working with the Wigan midfielder but ruled out playing the youngster from the start at the Aviva Stadium.
“He won’t start,” the manager confirmed before suggesting the 21-year-old needs to assert himself more to get on the ball. “It will be tough on him (McCarthy) to start immediately. I had to say to him today to call for the ball more because he is a little shy.”
Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson will be a late arrival too - he is due to fly in tomorrow - as he continues treatment for a toe injury, while Stoke striker Jon Walters will not join up until Thursday, but for very different reasons as his wife prepares to give birth.
In addition, the absence of vastly-experienced keeper Shay Given, who is recovering from a recurrence of his shoulder problem, means there will be a first competitive appearance for Coventry’s Keiren Westwood.
With O’Shea and Keith Andrews, who has a groin injury, having pulled out of the initial squad of 29, that meant 24 men met up last night, and several of them were carrying knocks.
Newcastle striker Leon Best, who missed his club’s 4-0 Premier League defeat at Stoke on Saturday with an ankle problem, was sent for a swim this morning, while Damien Duff and Seamus Coleman sat out with Achilles and ankle problems respectively.
All the walking wounded will be assessed over the next 24 hours, but Trapattoni is confident he will be able to field a strong team and hopeful of a positive result after last month’s Carling Nations Cup victory over Wales.
He said: “It is not going to be an easy game. Macedonia are very aggressive and they close down the midfield. We did good work against Wales - now we have to push on. We have to raise our mentality, but I am optimistic.”
Kevin Foley could get the nod at right-back, with Ciaran Clark vying with the 108 times-capped Kevin Kilbane for a start on the left side of Dunne and Sean St Ledger.
In midfield, Gibson could partner Glenn Whelan in the middle if he shakes off his fitness problems with Duff and Aiden McGeady out wide, while Keane seems certain to start alongside Kevin Doyle in attack with Shane Long held in reserve.
