Trapattoni wants Dunne fit

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has told defender Richard Dunne to save himself for next month's World Cup qualifiers.

Last Updated: 03/02/13 at 20:34 Post Comment   

Richard Dunne: Yet to play for Villa this season

Richard Dunne: Yet to play for Villa this season

Manager Specials

So who will replace David Moyes as manager of Everton after his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United? Wigan's Robert Martinez heads the betting. Check out the latest odds

The 33-year-old Aston Villa man is yet to play for his club this season because of a persistent groin problem, but was put on stand-by for Wednesday night's friendly with Poland at the Aviva Stadium when Trapattoni named his latest squad last month.

However, after suffering a minor setback in his attempt to return to full fitness, Dunne has not been asked to travel to Dublin, with Trapattoni telling him to get himself fit for the forthcoming competitive clashes with Sweden and Austria which could go much of the way to deciding Ireland's fate.

Trapattoni said: "I spoke with him and I said 'okay. He wants to come back, he wants to be here', but I said to him that at this moment, I don't want to make trouble with the club.

"We need him for the matches and it will be important that he gets through these medical tests.

"I hope he can be ready for the matches."

Villa are currently engaged in a tooth-and-nail battle for Premier League survival and manager Paul Lambert's need is perhaps even more pressing than Trapattoni's.

Toronto central defender Darren O'Dea will also be missing after being excused duty at the request of his club, who are currently in the middle of the preparations for the new MLS season.

Trapattoni is likely to use the game to blood some of his less experienced players, with Derby duo Richard Keogh and Conor Sammon expected to have some involvement.

The Italian is delighted at the way his pool has increased in size since he took over as manager almost five years ago, and is keen to have a look at some of the newcomers before turning his attention back to the World Cup qualifying campaign.

He said: "They have good quality to come into our team and I am very, very anxious to see them. It will be important.

"They can give us their enthusiasm and commitment and their technical quality, I am sure they can play well."

Trapattoni's initial squad of 27, which included Dunne, has been whittled down with Reading's Alex Pearce taking O'Dea's place.

However, he lost two more men on Saturday when Norwich's Anthony Pilkington withdrew after damaging a hamstring in his side's 0-0 Premier League draw at QPR, and Spartak Moscow winger Aiden McGeady cried off with an ankle problem.

While the result on Wednesday evening may not be the most important aspect of the game even for a manager who insists there is no such thing as a friendly, Trapattoni will be keen to avoid a home defeat for the third successive match.

The Republic were thrashed 6-1 on their own park by Germany in October, sparking concerted calls for the 73-year-old's head which he only just survived.

They bounced back four days later to beat the Faroe Islands comprehensively in Torshavn, but they went down to a single goal against Greece at the Aviva in a November friendly.

TEAMtalk Facebook Fan Page

The TEAMtalk fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Champions League: Arjen Robben fires Bayern Munich to final glory over Borussia Dortmund

Arjen Robben's late goal fired Bayern Munich to UEFA Champions League glory with a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has signed a one-year contract extension

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has signed a one-year contract extension to tie him to the club until 2017.

Premier League: Michael Laudrup insists he wants to stay at Swansea

Michael Laudrup insists he wants to stay at Swansea - as long as they keep their word and strengthen this summer.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved