Soccer:Giovanni Trapattoni has included Shane Long and Robbie Keane in a 26-man Republic of Ireland squad to face Estonia in the European Championship 2012 playoff next month.
It’s still to be ascertained whether both players, who are currently injured, will recover in time, for the first playoff leg in Tallinn on Friday, November 11th.
West Brom initially suggested Long would be out for “up to eight weeks” after he was injured by Alan Hutton’s two-footed lunge during the first half of their 2-1 Premier League win at Villa Park. The club though revised that estimate and the player remains optimistic.
Keane is back in light training with LA Galaxy for the first time since picking up an injury while on Ireland duty against Andorra. The American club’s associate head coach Dave Sarachan intimated that the striker might be available to competitive action next week but added: “I think we are doing the right thing, taking it step by step and we’re hopeful that we are going to be able to utilise him.”
Baggies manager Roy Hodgson has no issue with Trapattoni calling up Long, but has suggested it is a long shot, despite the anticipated recovery time being reduced to six weeks.
"The prognosis from the doctors and medical experts is that Shane will be out for six weeks. But I quite understand why an important player like Shane is included in the squad because there is nothing to stop Giovanni Trapattoni being optimistic," said the former Liverpool and Fulham boss.
“There have been lots of cases in the past where people have been diagnosed with an injury which will take longer than it actually takes. So no-one would be happier than ourselves if Shane Long recovers in two weeks and can play for Ireland in these important qualifiers.
“For me, his selection is fine. I just hope they won’t be too disappointed if the doctors prognosis turns out to be the correct one. It might turn out to be optimistic.”
Hodgson was initially angry with the challenge by Hutton which was unpunished by referee Phil Dowd, and his opinion has not changed.
Hodgson said: “I’ve said what I have to say about Hutton’s tackle. I’ve got nothing more to add. I haven’t changed my opinion but I do not wish to continue the debate. It was unfortunate for us. It is part of football. I accept that but on the other hand, when I get asked a straight question about a challenge, I feel sometimes it is my duty to say what I feel.”
Trapattoni, meanwhile, believes there is "no room for complacency" as Ireland prepare to face Estonia.
"We will remember that Estonia have as much right to be in the play-off as ourselves," he said today. “They have had some very good results in their group beating Serbia and Slovenia. They also caused Italy a lot of problems. These games will be a huge challenge for us, and we must maintain the correct mentality.”
The second leg takes place at the Aviva stadium on November 15th.
Republic of Ireland squad:Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Sean St. Ledger (Leicester City), Darren O'Dea (Leeds United), Paul McShane (Hull City), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), James McCarthy (Wigan), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Keith Andrews (Ipswich), Keith Fahey (Birmingham), Darron Gibson (Man Utd), Andy Keogh (Wolves), Damien Duff (Fulham), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Stephen Hunt (Wolves), Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Shane Long (West Brom), Simon Cox (West Brom). Jon Walters (Stoke).
