Soccer

Trapattoni cuts Ireland squad to 23

Paddy Madden joins Seán St Ledger, Joey O’Brien and Aiden McGeady on sidelines, David Meyler on standby

Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady has been ruled out of the games against Sweden and Austria with a knee injury. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Fri Aug 30 2013 - 12:17

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has cut a further two players from his Republic of Ireland squad, following three withdrawals this morning. It was always the manager's intention to reduce a 29-man squad to 23 ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden (September 6th) and Austria (September 10th), but the task was made that bit easier by a series of knee injuries, complaints and ailments throughout the squad.

Paddy Madden this evening became the fourth player today to be let go because of a knee knack and will, along with Aiden McGeady, Joey O’Brien and Seán St Ledger, remain with his club this weekend. In the case of O’Brien, he may even play for West Ham against Stoke tomorrow after the FAI clarified the decision to let him go was in consultation with the London club and as a result of a long-standing injury that needs to be addressed during the international break but is not urgent enough for him to be laid up immediately.

“The manager has given his blessing to this as we have sufficient cover on this occasion,” according to the FAI.

Having already lost Derby midfielder Jeff Hendrick from his squad on Wednesday, Trapattoni was left with just one to disappoint and it was David Meyler's misfortune to get the message to remain with Hull City rather than join the squad in Dublin on Sunday. He has, however, been put on the standby list.

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Ireland, who face Sweden at home and Austria away, are tied with both Group C opponents on 11 points, five adrift of leaders Germany.

Republic of Ireland squad (23): Forde (Millwall), Westwood (Sunderland), Randolph (Birmingham City); O'Shea (Sunderland), Wilson (Stoke City), Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Reading), O'Dea (Metalurh Donetsk), Clark (Aston Villa), Dunne (QPR), McShane (Hull City); Whelan (Stoke City), McCarthy (Wigan Athletic), Green (Leeds United), Pilkington (Norwich City), McClean (Wigan athletic), Brady (Hull City), Hoolahan (Norwich City); Long (West Brom), Keane (LA Galaxy), Sammon (Derby County), Walters (Stoke City), Cox (Nottingham Forest).