Harte declared fit to play against Dutch

Ian Harte has been declared fit to play for Ireland in their vital world cup clash with Holland at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

Ian Harte has been declared fit to play for Ireland in their vital world cup clash with Holland at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

Harte participated fully in this morning's training session and was afterwards declared fit by Irish team manager Mick McCarthy.

"Ian was desparate to play, and it is a tribute to his commitment and professionalism that he worked incredibly hard to get himself fit," McCarthy said.

Harte had to recover from a gash picked up in a clash with Paolo di Canio on Saturday. He was not helped by the fact he was already suffering from bad bruising to the shin above the same ankle, sustained in the opening game of the Premiership season against Southampton.

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That injury was aggravated during the Arsenal game early last week and he was apparently about to be substituted on Saturday before the collision with di Canio.