Trapattoni keeping a keen eye on Robbie

SOCCER: AFTER THE Brian Kerr years, when starting line-ups were a closely guarded secret in the lead up to big games, Giovanni Trapattoni has tended to parade his preferred selection to the press in training from the middle of the build-up. So much so, in fact, the squad's final session on the day preceding a game seems like something of a sideshow, with all the big issues decided and all concerned taking it easy in case one of the anointed get injured.

This afternoon’s run out at the Philip II stadium in Skopje will be somewhat different following the training ground injury to team captain Robbie Keane.

The Dubliner limped off the pitch 15 minutes into the practice game yesterday and Trapattoni marched out past the waiting media, clearly less inclined to joke about a groin strain on this occasion than he had been on Monday when Darron Gibson’s absence due to the same ailment had been confirmed.

Instead, Marco Tardelli confirmed the bad news and proved unusually forthcoming in relation to the likely team selection.

To questions prompted by the way the “probables” and “possibles” had lined out for a game completely dominated, during the time journalists were allowed to watch, by those less likely to feature, he confirmed Simon Cox is now more likely to partner Keane in attack than Shane Long – if the Tottenham striker is fit to start. He also said Stephen Kelly and Darren O’Dea are now set to complete the back four rather than Paul McShane and Sean St Ledger.

Long’s disappointment in an already bad week for the 24-year-old striker may be short-lived for he looks certain to be included if Keane is forced out. But the skipper will clearly be given every chance to prove he is okay prior to kick-off and this evening’s session at the stadium, which he is expected to be involved in, should provide an indication of his chances. “He has a little problem with his groin,” said Tardelli yesterday, “but we think he will be good for Macedonia. I think . . . I don’t know.”

Pushed on the up-to-date pecking order in attack, meanwhile, Tardelli confirmed: “It is fair to say that Simon Cox is ahead of Shane Long at this moment in time. I hope Robbie Keane will be okay but,” he added, “if the match was tomorrow, then he wouldn’t play.”

By last night, the mood had grown a little more optimistic and there was growing hope that Keane might be able to get through this evening’s session but the 30-year-old remains a significant doubt.

Elsewhere, there was a lot going on too, with Stephen Hunt looking to have displaced Liam Lawrence on the right flank and Kelly and O’Dea taking their places at right and centre back respectively.

Hunt’s lively finish to the campaign at Wolves has paved the way and might be seen too as part of the shift in approach that brought Cox into the team as Trapattoni eschews aerial power and someone like Lawrence whose crosses and set-pieces play to it in favour of a line-up more suited to getting in amongst opponents who are big at the back but not perhaps the quickest or most mobile.

In defence, O’Dea attacks the ball well in the air, although it still seems his inclusion is first and foremost down to the level of risk attached to starting St Ledger.

“Darren O’Dea has played two games and he has confidence whereas Sean St Ledger hasn’t played in three months; although he is fit at this moment. It is a very important match and maybe Sean could play well. But I don’t know.”

Whatever the reason, O’Dea is not complaining. He did well in the home game against tomorrow night’s opposition. “I think it shows the character of Ledge that he was ruled out, had an injection which he had to settle down for a few days and went back to Preston. But then, fair play to him, he’s come back. But it’s one I’m looking forward to if I get the chance.

“I played with Josh (John O’Shea) against Norway and obviously he’s another top, top player,” he continues. “It’s easy to play alongside players like that, if you’re lucky enough to do so. So there’ll be no issue with whoever plays there.” Try telling that to Keane . . . or Long, if one of them doesn’t make the starting line-up.