Duff injury worry for Staunton

News: Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton endured a difficult weekend as he weighed up his options before naming his squad today for the forthcoming European Championship qualifying games against Cyprus and the Czech Republic.

Chief amongst his concerns will have been the failure of Damien Duff to feature in yesterday's draw between Newcastle United and Everton. The winger missed the game with what the club described as a "slight thigh problem" from which he would be expected to recover well before the first of the two internationals on Saturday week. That Duff has again been sidelined by a thigh strain will cause Staunton some discomfort given the importance of the Dubliner to Ireland's attacking play.

With Shay Given out, Paddy Kenny's failure to recover sufficiently from a thigh strain to even make the bench for Sheffield United's game against Arsenal is another blow but it is understood the goalkeeper expects to be fit in time for the trip to Cyprus.

Other problems for Staunton include the hamstring injury that will almost certainly oblige him to omit Andy Reid from his squad, the knee problem that has ruled Ian Harte out as well as the back problem that kept Steven Reid out of Blackburn's game.

Lee Carsley's solid performance for Everton may persuade Staunton to hand him a recall.

Another veteran, meanwhile, indicated he would be prepared to return if the manager feels the situation requires it. Writing in a Sunday newspaper column, Matt Holland said he would be prepared to play for the Republic again if Staunton deemed the situation to be an "emergency".