Hunt out of Colombia game

Stephen Hunt will miss Thursday's match against Colombia after departing the Republic of Ireland squad this evening with a hamstring strain but Aiden McGeady is ready to replace the winger after training with Giovanni Trapattoni's squad in Malahide today.

Hunt sat out today's session and, after earlier being rated 50-50 for the game, was ruled out of contention this evening.

Scottish player of the year McGeady, however, has been given the all clear to take part at Craven Cottage and may well start the game given Hunt's absence.

Trapattoni got his first close-up look at the Celtic winger today and immediately declared he would feature against the south Americans, despite hinting earlier in the week that he would be rested after he got a knock in Celtic's league winning game against Dundee United last Thursday.

"I saw McGeady in training for the first time and he did really well," said the coach prior to Hunt being ruled out. "Maybe he will start the game on Thursday but he will play at some stage, as will John O'Shea."

Champions League winner O'Shea could well start ahead of Paul McShane and alongside Richard Dunne who is odds on to figure after recovering well from a heel injury sustained in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Serbia.

The Manchester City captain did not train today but the coach gave him a "90 per cent" chance of being involved in London.

McShane is also unlikely to be troubled by the neck injury he was carrying but the manager has a decision to make on whether it might be more beneficial for the player to watch the Colombia game from the wings after he was heavily criticised for his part in Marko Pantelic's goal on Saturday.

McGeady's clubmate Darren O'Dea is also an option for the coach to consider in defence after he too joined the squad at Malahide.

Full-back Stephen Kelly has lauded the contribution of schoolboy team-mate Glenn Whelan, who was calm and assured in central midfield on his debut against Serbia.

The two 24-year-olds grew up in Dublin and learned their football together as teenagers.

Kelly, who collected his 11th full cap against Serbia, said: "I have known Glenn since we were kids. We have played together since we were 12 all the way up, so I know what Glenn is capable of.

"He came in and did what I know he is capable of. He did really well."