Giovanni Trapattoni is refusing to give up the ghost on Damien Duff despite having the Fulham winger ruled out of Ireland’s remaining World Cup qualifiers by his club.

Trapattoni has accepted that Duff, suffering from a calf injury, will not be available for Saturday’s game against Italy but remains hopeful he could yet be back for Montenegro next Wednesday.

Fulham announced on their website earlier today that Duff would remain with the club to receive treatment for the duration of the international break.

However, given that the London club confused the dates of the qualifiers the veracity of that information could be open to question.

“Stephen Kelly will almost certainly feature for the Republic of Ireland but Damien Duff misses out through injury. The winger will remain at Fulham’s training ground during the international break,” Fulham announced.

“Following Thursday’s clash Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will once again have home advantage on Monday night when they take on Montenegro in Dublin.”

Speaking to the Irish media later in the day, Trapattoni said he believes a further scan on the injury at the weekend could clear Duff for the Montenegro match.

Trapattoni is definitely without Steven Reid (Achilles) and Darron Gibson (groin) for both matches of the double-header but, save for the addition of Martin Rowlands yesterday, has declined to bolster his squad.

The unbeaten Republic take on Group Eight leaders Italy at Croke Park knowing a victory would move them to within one point of top spot, with one round of matches remaining.

However, defeat in both matches could see Bulgaria overhaul Ireland to claim a play-off berth.

Trapattoni, meanwhile, will has reiterated his stance that Ireland have nothing to fear if and when they reach the play-offs.

However, the 70-year-old feels the rules should be changed to allow all nations to compete on an even playing field after Fifa’s announcement last week the runners-up showdowns will be seeded.

Trapattoni said: “We know what sort of team we are, we know which position we are in the ranking. But, for me, it is not important because big teams can lose. Now I am sure

our team is confident and, in football, anything can happen.

“If Italy lose the last two games, maybe we qualify (automatically). But if we go into the play-offs, we have high morale and we can compete with any team. Up until now, in every game we have improved. In the last game against South Africa, we played well and we won.

“If we play in the play-offs, we will not be afraid of any team. For me, it is not important because we can play against good teams — we will see on Saturday against Italy.

“I am confident against all teams.”

The decision not to have an open draw has not gone down well with Shay Given declaring himself “disgusted” with Fifa’s stance and Trapattoni has called for the rules to be changed.

He said: “In the future, Fifa and Uefa have to think about changing this rule.

“Four or five years ago, the big teams — like Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid — wanted to create a super league, but it was dangerous for football and they gave up on it.

“That would have been the death of football. It was football for eight teams and the others are dead. This situation in the future must change, because every country has the right to qualify.

“This draw must be open to give the same opportunity to everybody.”