Ireland withdrawal 'unfortunate'

Steve Staunton has described Stephen Ireland's withdrawal from the squad for the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers as "unfortunate" but insists there is little more he can do for the player whose confidence on the international stage has clearly waned.

The midfielder announced this afternoon that he was pulling out of the Republic of Ireland squad because he "would not do his country or himself justice."

The news is as a further blow for manager Staunton ahead of the meetings at Croke Park with Germany on Saturday and Cyprus four days later, following full-back Stephen Carr's withdrawal with a hamstring problem. Manchester United's John O'Shea has been cleared to play after a thigh strain he suffered in the 4-0 win over Wigan cleared up.

Ireland pulled out of the last qualifier against the Czech Republic in September citing the death of his maternal grandmother, before claiming it was his paternal grandmother and then eventually admitting he lied to be with his partner who had suffered a miscarriage.

Staunton, who has been to Manchester to talk with Ireland, says he and City manager Sven Goran Eriksson have done all they can to help the player.

"The player's health is the most important thing here," said Staunton in Malahide today. "We fully respect Stevies wishes.  We fully understand what he's going through. He has to get this sorted out for himself.
 
"It's a personal issue," he continued. "We know he's got problems.  Man City, myself, the FAI have tried everything but at this moment in time he's obviously not ready or mentally prepared to play for his country."

Asked if today's developments were in any way connected to his emotional withdrawal last time round, Staunton said: "Well I cant answer for Stevie.  We tried to get to the bottom of it but its going to take time.  He has got issues.

"I think at this moment in time he feels safe in the Manchester environment and obviously his treatment is just around the corner.  That's playing a vital part for him at this moment in time.  To come away from that for 10 days could be detrimental to himself."

Defeat to the Czechs effectively ended qualification hopes but Ireland, whose club form has been impressive of late, gained an instant recall to the squad with Staunton insisting "it's history now".

However, Ireland told www.mcfc.co.uk  today: "I have thought long and hard about whether I would do my country and myself justice if I joined up with the squad. Unfortunately, I don't believe I would on this occasion.

"The support I have received from Mr Staunton and the FAI has been excellent and everybody at Manchester City has also been superb. However, I do not believe I can make a positive contribution to our efforts to qualify."

Club manager Eriksson said the news was "disappointing for everybody".

"Steve Staunton and I have been working together to help Stephen through a period which he is clearly finding very difficult," added the Swede. "We together have left no stone unturned in our efforts to convince him he has so much to offer his country and that international football will greatly benefit his long-term career.

"I hope that Stephen will soon feel stable enough to resume his international career."

Meanwhile, the German football federation has confirmed that midfielder Tim Borowski will miss Saturday's match and their game against the Czech Republic next Wednesday.

The Bremen player, who missed the friendly against England on August 22nd, has back pain, and joins the injured playmaker Michael Ballack and striker Miroslav Klose on the treatment table.