Post by Milo (not Mylo!!) on Nov 11, 2011 7:38:49 GMT
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is yet to decide who will partner skipper Robbie Keane in Friday night's Euro 2012 play-off first leg clash with Estonia in Tallinn.
Stoke forward Jonathan Walters or West Brom's Simon Cox will get the nod to replace the suspended Kevin Doyle, with the Italian making that call on Friday.
Leon Best and Shane Long are also unavailable to Trapattoni.
Stephen Kelly will take over from the injured John O'Shea at right-back.
Shay Given will play in goal, with Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger and Stephen Ward joining Kelly in defence.
Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady start in midfield.
Best is ruled out of Friday's first leg in Tallinn as he awaits the birth of his first child.
The Newcastle striker was already a doubt for the game after suffering groin and toe injuries during Saturday's 2-1 win over Everton.
However, Best's wife is due to give birth imminently and he will join the squad on Saturday.
West Brom striker Long had already withdrawn from the squad after failing to overcome a knee injury.
Portsmouth midfielder Liam Lawrence reported on Sunday to have his ankle ligament injury assessed, but was swiftly sent back to his club.
O'Shea may still be involved in the second leg in Dublin next Tuesday.
"We will wait for John O'Shea. He is not fit for the first game, but he will come with us on Saturday," confirmed Trapattoni.
Skipper Robbie Keane says the Republic players are desperate to make next summer's finals in Poland and Ukraine.
"It would mean everything - I have been fortunate to play in a World Cup, which was one of the best experiences of my life, but I haven't played in a European Championships yet.
"Every time you watch one on the TV, you are just desperate to be there.
"We haven't qualified for 20-odd years, so it would mean a hell of a lot to me and the whole country.
"This is a great opportunity for everyone - for players like myself, Shay Given and Richard Dunne, this could be our last opportunity, so we have to grab this with both hands.
"We have worked really, really hard to get where we are, so we can't let this just slip away. I know for a fact every player is desperate for this," said the LA Galaxy striker.
Republic of Ireland: Given; Kelly, Dunne, St Ledger, Ward; Duff, Andrews, Whelan, McGeady; Keane (c); Cox or Walters.
bbc
(2nd leg Tues)
Stoke forward Jonathan Walters or West Brom's Simon Cox will get the nod to replace the suspended Kevin Doyle, with the Italian making that call on Friday.
Leon Best and Shane Long are also unavailable to Trapattoni.
Stephen Kelly will take over from the injured John O'Shea at right-back.
Shay Given will play in goal, with Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger and Stephen Ward joining Kelly in defence.
Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady start in midfield.
Best is ruled out of Friday's first leg in Tallinn as he awaits the birth of his first child.
The Newcastle striker was already a doubt for the game after suffering groin and toe injuries during Saturday's 2-1 win over Everton.
However, Best's wife is due to give birth imminently and he will join the squad on Saturday.
West Brom striker Long had already withdrawn from the squad after failing to overcome a knee injury.
Portsmouth midfielder Liam Lawrence reported on Sunday to have his ankle ligament injury assessed, but was swiftly sent back to his club.
O'Shea may still be involved in the second leg in Dublin next Tuesday.
"We will wait for John O'Shea. He is not fit for the first game, but he will come with us on Saturday," confirmed Trapattoni.
Skipper Robbie Keane says the Republic players are desperate to make next summer's finals in Poland and Ukraine.
"It would mean everything - I have been fortunate to play in a World Cup, which was one of the best experiences of my life, but I haven't played in a European Championships yet.
"Every time you watch one on the TV, you are just desperate to be there.
"We haven't qualified for 20-odd years, so it would mean a hell of a lot to me and the whole country.
"This is a great opportunity for everyone - for players like myself, Shay Given and Richard Dunne, this could be our last opportunity, so we have to grab this with both hands.
"We have worked really, really hard to get where we are, so we can't let this just slip away. I know for a fact every player is desperate for this," said the LA Galaxy striker.
Republic of Ireland: Given; Kelly, Dunne, St Ledger, Ward; Duff, Andrews, Whelan, McGeady; Keane (c); Cox or Walters.
bbc
(2nd leg Tues)