Some Injury Doubts for Trapattoni

Giovanni Trapattoni

Republic of Ireland senior team manager Giovanni Trapattoni will await medical updates on a number of his players in the coming weeks before ascertaining the full availability of the 33-man squad he named on Wednesday at the Athlone Institute of Technology.

Trapattoni will use Ireland's concluding Carling Nations Cup games at the Aviva Stadium against Northern Ireland on May 24 and Scotland on May 29 as warm-up matches for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia on June 4 in Skopje.

Ireland's 2-1 victory over Macedonia in the reverse fixture at the Aviva Stadium has moved them level at the top of Group B with Slovakia and Russia at the midway point of the qualifying campaign.

Shay Given, Ireland's most capped goalkeeper, was named in the panel having missed the most recent get-together which included the Uruguay friendly due to shoulder surgery. The Manchester City netminder's return to training and upbeat outlook in his latest discussions with Trapattoni convinces the Italian his first choice goalkeeper will be fit and ready.

The news delivered on Damien Duff and Kevin Doyle was not so positive. An Achilles injury has troubled Fulham winger Duff for the last couple of months and scheduled surgery on the problem looks to have ruled him out of the international fixtures.

Time is against Doyle in his recovery from a knee injury he suffered in the home game against Macedonia. The striker hasn't played for Wolves since and is facing a task to regain his match fitness.

Further doubts surround the availability of Kieren Westwood (shoulder) and Sean St Ledger (knee), while a new injury means Blackburn Rovers midfielder Keith Andrews is also uncertain to feature.

"We have to check on a number of players," said Trapattoni. "The squad we have prepared is big because we have some injuries missing again. We hope there are no other injuries.

"We have another ten days in which to expect reports from club doctors.

"It is our not habit to cry about these injuries because I believe in this team. After these two these friendly matches, we can clarify the squad for the qualifier in Macedonia.

"It is important we start again like we played against Macedonia (at home). With this attitude and character, I am confident about us in this difficult away game in Macedonia."

The injured absentees, along with Manchester United duo John O'Shea and Darron Gibson due to the UEFA Champions League final four days later, mean Trapattoni will utilise the depth of his options for the first game on Tuesday, May 24 against Northern Ireland.

"We decided before that we will look at players in both games. We can make six changes (substitutions) in the matches. It is possible we will look at one group in the first match, then a second group (against Scotland).

"These are important tests. I will give players the opportunity to show us and we can decide after this for Macedonia.

"We have the right squad. We have more than one option for each position."

"Following our 3-0 win over Wales in February, I am really looking forward to the remaining Carling Nations Cup fixtures against Northern Ireland and Scotland because this is a tournament which we want to win. More importantly, the remaining fixtures in the Carling Nations Cup will give us a good opportunity to spend some extra time together as a squad in preparation for the EURO 2012 qualifier versus Macedonia on June 4."

Republic of Ireland squad:

Shay Given Manchester City FC 

Kieren Westwood Coventry City FC 

David Forde Millwall FC 

Richard Dunne Aston Villa FC 

John O’Shea Manchester United FC 

Kevin Foley Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 

Damien Delaney Ipswich Town FC 

Ciaran Clark Aston Villa FC 

Seamus Coleman Everton FC 

Kevin Kilbane Huddersfield Town FC 

Stephen Kelly Fulham FC 

Paul McShane Hull City FC 

James McCarthy Wigan Athletic FC 

Glenn Whelan Stoke City FC 

Marc Wilson Stoke City FC 

Darron Gibson Manchester United FC 

Aiden McGeady Spartak Moscow FC 

Keith Fahey Birmingham City FC 

Liam Lawrence Portsmouth FC 

Keith Treacy Preston North End FC 

Stephen Hunt Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 

Stephen Ward Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 

Andy Keogh Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 

Anthony Stokes Celtic FC 

Caleb Folan Colorado Rapids FC 

Jon Walters Stoke City FC 

Robbie Keane West Ham United FC 

Shane Long Reading FC 

The following players have also been called up on a provisional basis subject to fitness

Sean St. Ledger Preston North End FC 

Damien Duff Fulham FC 

Darren O’Dea Ipswich Town FC 

Keith Andrews Blackburn Rovers FC 

Kevin Doyle Wolverhampton Wanderers FC