Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni remains hopeful that Shay Given and Aiden McGeady will be available for Saturday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria at Croke Park after both players missed today’s initial training session in Malahide.
The pair remained at their clubs for further treatment to knocks picked up at the weekend and will fly into Dublin today to link up with the squad.
Given aggravated a shoulder injury in Manchester City’s victory over Sunderland on Sunday, while McGeady picked up a foot injury in Celtic’s 2-2 draw with Dundee United on the same day. Both players played the full 90 minutes.
McGeady underwent an X-ray in Glasgow today that showed up no serious damage but Trapattoni is likely to give the two key players as much rest as possible to ensure their fitness.
Trapattoni said: “We are missing Shay Given and Aiden McGeady. Their injuries need to be checked. But tomorrow, they will be with us and I hope they will be ready for Saturday.
“At the moment, Shay’s shoulder is a little bit sore, but I spoke to him and he assured me he is going to be here and he is going to play.”
McGeady’s teammate Darren O’Dea has also remained in Glasgow after the Ireland management confirmed that the defender was only named as standby for Saturday’s game.
Trapattoni also admitted he is relieved Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov will be absent for Saturday’s game after the Manchester United striker picked up ankle injury in the loss to Fulham on Saturday.
Trapattoni knows opposite number Stanimir Stoilov still has other dangerous players at his disposal, but is happy one of his potential match-winners is not available for the match.
“Players like that can get into the game in a split-second and turn it completely. For me, it is better they are out because they have the possibility to create,” said the Italian, before adding a cautionary warning to his players.
“Berbatov is a very, very important player, but in my experience, you cannot afford to just think about one player. Bulgaria are a strong team and they have other strong players. We cannot think it is an easy game because they are missing Berbatov.
“They have other very, very important players. They have (Stiliyan) Petrov, (Ivelin) Popov, (Blagoy) Georgiev — they are very, very important players. But the most important thing is our mentality and our performance.”
Trapattoni’s side have collected 10 points to date by completing a double over Georgia, beating Cyprus in Dublin and claiming a hard-fought 0-0 draw in Montenegro.
That has left Italy top of the group only on goal difference, and Marcelo Lippi’s side face a tough trip to Montenegro at the weekend before entertaining Ireland in Bari next Wednesday in a game which could have a major say in who finishes at the top of the table.
Trapattoni knows just how big a week or so it could be, although he is equally well aware his side’s fate will not be decided on the results of these two games alone.
He said: “These two games are very, very important games, but the qualifiers have a long way to go. These games will really test our psychological and mental strength as well.”
Trapattoni is also hoping that his side can feed off a great weekend for Irish sport after Grand Slam success and boxer Bernard Dunne’s WBA super bantamweight triumph.
He said: “I wish to congratulate my colleague Declan Kidney for the great success, and also world champion Bernard Dunne. Their successes are great new for us also, and we hope to follow in their footsteps.”
