Giovanni Trapattoni has named a provisional 32-man squad, which includes the injured Kevin Doyle, for Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifiers next month.
Trap’s fears of not having Doyle available for the Slovakia game on 2 September have been tamed somewhat, as Wolves manager Mick McCarthy stated his belief that Doyle will be fit in time.
“Doyler just felt something but there’s every possibility he will play,” the former Ireland manager told the Irish Times. “Yesterday he was 70-30 in favour of playing and I’m hoping that’s gone to 90-10 today.
“He felt a bit more aware of it because it was his knee and he’d missed games at the end of last season. He just had a kick on Saturday and it was something from that that flared up, nothing sinister or serious, so hopefully he’ll play.”
Trap has stuck with the squad he named in mid-July for the international friendly with Croatia last night but it will be whittled down closer to the Slovakia game.
Provisional Ireland squad for Euro 2012 qualifiers with Slovakia (2 September) and Russia (6 September):
Goalkeepers : Given, Westwood, Forde.
Defenders : O’Shea, Coleman, McShane, Foley, Kelly, Ward, Dunne, Clark, St. Ledger, O’Dea, Delaney, Kilbane.
Midfielders : Whelan, Gibson, Andrews, Fahey, Keogh, Duff, McGeady, Hunt, Lawrence, McCarthy, Treacy, Wilson.
Forwards : Keane, Doyle, Cox, Walters, Long.
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