Hull striker Caleb Folan has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia.

The 26-year-old has only recently returned to action following knee surgery and has informed manager Giovanni Trapattoni he does not feel ready to play at Croke Park on February 11th.

Folan had a minor operation in early December and has featured only twice since as a substitute in FA Cup ties against Newcastle and Millwall this month.

“I won’t be going over there, it’s still a bit too soon,” Folan said today. “I have spoken to the Irish manager about my situation at the minute and I am trying to work on my fitness, so it might not be the right time for me to go over there this time around.

“I’ve spoken to Trapattoni and he believes I’ll still be very much in his plans.

“I’m just hoping I can get my fitness right and be ready for the coming Ireland games.”

Folan broke into the Ireland set-up after scoring in a ‘B’ match against Nottingham Forest last October.

He followed that up with a first senior cap as a substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Cyprus and then started November’s friendly defeat to Poland.