SOCCER:REPUBLIC OF IRELAND manager Giovanni Trapattoni has denied the suggestion by a tabloid newspaper he has been in talks with Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland in recent weeks and that the 22-year-old is set to return to the national team for next month's game against Georgia, reports Emmet Malone.

"We haven't heard from Stephen Ireland," said the Italian in a statement issued through the FAI, "but if he does want to declare himself available for his country all he has to do is let us know himself through channels he is aware of."

Ireland, who scored four goals in his six appearances for the national team, hasn't played for the Republic since dramatically leaving the squad in the wake of a 2-2 draw in Slovakia 16 months ago.

During that time he has sent out mixed signals regarding the possibility of a return to the international set-up.