SOCCER WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING: GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI insisted yesterday that Andy Reid's ongoing absence from the Irish team is based entirely on his assessment of which selection offers the best chance of success rather than any personal differences with the Sunderland midfielder.

His comments came amid suggestions that there had been something of an altercation between the two men at the team hotel in Germany on the night of the recent game against Georgia.

Asked about the issue at training yesterday, however, the Italian maintained his judgement has not been influenced in any way by anything other than what he has seen on the pitch and denied he has problems with any members of the squad.

"I never have pre-judgments on any players," insisted the veteran coach. "I get angry often when the players are on the pitch but it is away in five minutes. The most important thing is the players. I don't have any problems with the players. I choose in all honesty and thinking about the interests of the team."

Pressed about Reid's situation, Trapattoni admitted he understands the frustration of a player who has not featured in the side since he has taken over. "Until now he has always played with the team," he said. "But there is no problem (except that) the game we have is very important for qualifying and I don't understand why Andy Reid is more important than the other situation."

Though he said he had yet to settle on the complete line-up for tomorrow's game, the Italian confirmed Damien Duff will replace Stephen Hunt with Aiden McGeady playing on the other wing. He also strongly reinforced the impression he will not replace Steven Reid with a more attacking option in the centre of midfield. "In midfield I have an idea," he said, "but after tomorrow I have to speak again with the players. I saw that every midfield was good in training. I'm finding it difficult to choose because they are all in good condition."

In fact, Trapattoni has virtually a full squad to choose from with Caleb Folan having recovered sufficiently from a groin strain to train yesterday while Alex Bruce, the only remaining injury concern (also groin), could yet take part in this afternoon's run-out.

As it happens, the manager has opted against holding that final training session in Croke Park, preferring instead to complete his preparations for the game in Malahide. "We wish to prepare for the game here, it's quiet and without the pressure or atmosphere. We can prepare better set-pieces for example."

With Trapattoni saying nothing that might suggest he has changed his mind with regard to Reid's position, Liam Miller, rather than Darron Gibson or Keith Andrews, remains the man expected to benefit from the absence through injury of Steven Reid but, having lost out on so many occasions before, the Corkman is not taking anything for granted.

"I've haven't had any indication so far of what the team is," he said. "Obviously, I'll try and train well over the next few days and hopefully get the nod. It will be the manager who decides but I'll be delighted if I get the chance."

If he does play then it will only be the midfielder's 20th cap, a disappointing tally for the now 27-year-old who admits to feeling a little frustrated to have featured in no more than a handful of competitive games. "Yeah," he said, "I want to get a lot more competitive starts. It's not quite happened at this moment in time, the lads in the team are doing well and have taken their chances. But if my chance does come around, I feel I'm ready."

Things have not been all that much better of late at Sunderland although he briefly broke into a rare smile when it was suggested by one reporter that they have at least improved from the point towards the end of last season when he might have been "out the door" at the Stadium of Light.

"Well, there again, I've got my head down and worked hard," he said, having quickly suppressed his amusement. "I managed to get back in for the Villa game, missed a day's training before the Arsenal game, I don't know if that affected it or what. Hopefully I'll get a few more starts, get my place back in the team.

"To be honest, I had a really bad start to the season with missing the whole of pre-season because of injury. The lads had a start on me there but I managed to get myself back fit, it's just a question of the games. But I think it's a massive season to be honest. I do need to be playing football. I think if I am playing football, it gives me a great chance here when I come away."

A big performance tomorrow night would doubtless help him to back up his claim but the more pressing issue is that Ireland avoid another calamitous night against a Cyprus team that doled out a double helping of humiliation over the course of the last campaign.

Miller didn't feature in the 5-2 defeat but remembers there being, "a lot of anger" in the dressingroom afterwards. "If you get beat like that, no one likes to lose a game," he says. "It wasn't a good dressingroom.

"But it's hard to pin-point one specific thing (that went wrong). I suppose it was just an off night for the lads and these things happen in football.

"You just have to be on your toes against them as we know what they're capable of."