GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI HAS named the exact same squad as the one he chose to face Croatia for their crucial Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovakia next month.
While the availability of certain players who are currently injured is far from certain, Trapattoni has left himself plenty of options by selecting the strongest squad available to him.
Ireland also welcome back Kevin Kilbane and Liam Lawrence, after the duo were excused from last night’s friendly, as they needed to focus on their clubs’ opening games of the season.
The lack of changes mean Celtic striker Anthony Stokes is again ignored, despite an impressive start to the season in which he has scored two goals in as many games.
Speaking after the announcement of the squad, Trapattoni said:
“September will be a very important month and we go into these important matches well prepared after last night’s performance against Croatia. We have a number of injury doubts and in the coming weeks we will be hoping to avoid picking up any more.”
Ireland currently lie joint top of their group and are level on points with Slovakia, who they’ll play in the Aviva Stadium on 2 September. They then face their other rivals for top spot, Russia, on 6 September.
Ireland squad: Given, Westwood, Forde; O’Shea, Coleman, McShane, Foley, Kelly, Ward, Dunne, Clark, St. Ledger, O’Dea, Delane, Kilbane; Whelan, Gibson, Andrews, Fahey, Keogh, Duff, McGeady, Hunt, Lawrence, McCarthy, Treacy, Wilson; Keane, Doyle, Cox, Walters, Long.
