GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI HOPES that John O’Shea could still feature in Ireland’s Euro 2012 play-off plans, although the veteran defender will definitely miss Friday’s first leg against Estonia through injury.
O’Shea did not join up with the rest of the squad at their training base in Malahide today, remaining instead with Sunderland for treatment on a hamstring strain.
But Trapattoni refused to rule him out of the return leg in Dublin prematurely and said that the defender will join up with the team on their return from Tallinn at the weekend.
“Their doctor says he’s not ready for this game,” the Italian conceded, “but he should come with us after the game in Estonia.”
With midfielder Darron Gibson fit again following a foot injury, Ireland’s other major worry is Newcastle striker Leon Best who limped out of Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Everton with a groin problem.
Best, who was only called into the panel on Thursday, is due to undergo a scan on the injury on Tyneside this evening.
“Our doctor is in touch with their doctor,” Trapattoni said. “Yesterday, they said that after this check this evening, they’ll know if he can come or not.”
But with Robbie Keane coming through last night’s MLS Cup game with a goal to his name and no further fitness issues, Trap said that he won’t be adding an extra striker if Best doesn’t recover.
“In this important game, we need players with great personality and players with international mentality.
“Robbie is not only our captain, he also has 100 games with the national team and for this reason, he is important for me and for us.
For the second game, we have also Kevin Doyle. We also have Walters, or we can play like against Italy with Keogh as the second [striker], or we have Cox. We have enough.
