Giovanni Trapattoni will, weather permitting, be at Pride Park for today’s lunchtime game between Derby County and Nottingham Forest with Richard Keogh, it seems, being given another opportunity to persuade the Italian that he can provide defensive cover for the likes of Richard Dunne and Seán St Ledger if required.
The Republic of Ireland manager also watched County last week and while Conor Sammon, Mark O’Brien and Jeff Hendrick all played too as Nigel Clough’s side lost 2-1 to Brighton, the 26-year-old centre-half looks to be the main point of interest from Trapattoni’s point of view in a game that should also feature Simon Cox but not the injured Andy Reid.
Keogh could well be included in the squad that Trapattoni will name on Monday for the forthcoming friendly against Poland.
Anthony Pilkington of Norwich is also likely to get his first senior international call up for the game.
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert said yesterday that Dunne would not be rushed back after so long out but the Scot confirmed that the 33-year-old defender has trained with the rest of the squad over the past few days.
