Soccer:Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni clearly feels that Wigan's James McCarthy needs a little more time to work his way back to fitness before the young midfielder is considered for an international re-call.
McCarthy has not played in almost thee months since picking up a serious ankle injury but was an unused substitute against Arsenal at the weekend. He is poised to feature in the Premier League tomorrow night against Aston Villa after making a quicker than expected recovery.
Trapattoni, however, has overlooked the former Hamilton playmaker for the opening Carling Nations Cup against Wales next month. “It’s too tight,” Trapattoni said of his decision to leave the 20-year-old out. “He only just returned from injury the other day.”
In all, the Italian has drafted 29 players into his panel with defenders Ciarán Clark and Seámus Coleman due to make their Ireland debuts. The manager hinted that Coleman was likely to start against Wales with the versatile Aston Villa youngster Clark expected to make an appearance from the bench.
Given their lack of first team opportunities at club level this season, Shay Given and Robbie Keane are certain to start with Trapattoni eager to give them as much game time as possible ahead of the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers.
“Shay is an important player for us,” he added. “It is true that he doesn’t play at the moment but, like Robbie Keane, we couldn’t leave him out.”
With seven strikers in the squad, Trapattoni has made room for Celtic’s Anthony Stokes and Leon Best of Newcastle.
Ireland squad v Wales(Aviva Stadium, February 8th)
Shay Given (Manchester City), Keiren Westwood (Coventry City); John O’Shea (Manchester United), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Sean St. Ledger (Preston North End), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Kevin Kilbane (Huddersfield Town), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Darren O’Dea (Ipswich Town), Paul McShane (Hull City), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Paul Green (Derby County), Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), Stephen Hunt (Wolves), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Keith Treacy (Preston North End), Damien Duff (Fulham), Keith Fahey (Birmingham City), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Shane Long (Reading), Andy Keogh (Wolves), Leon Best (Newcastle), Anthony Stokes (Celtic)
