SHANE LONG CAN strengthen his claim for a place on the Euro 2012 plane when he partners Robbie Keane in attack against the Czech Republic tomorrow night.
Giovanni Trapattoni named his side for the first of the Republic of Ireland’s warm-up games this afternoon, making three changes from the side which lined up for the second leg against Estonia last November.
Long comes in up front for his 24th cap in place of Kevin Doyle, who failed to prove his fitness in time to challenge for a starting place.
The striker trained in Malahide this morning but has since been allowed to return to Wolves as has Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey, who is also carrying a knock.
Darren O’Dea comes in at centre-half in place of the injured Richard Dunne, while Aiden McGeady has shrugged off his recent injury scare to replace Stephen Hunt on the wing.
McGeady injured his shin while in Spain with his club Spartak Moscow, but has since returned training ahead of the resumption of the Russian league following its winter break.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni at the Grand Hotel, Malahide today. Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
The squad’s new faces, Sunderland winger James McClean and Everton’s Shane Duffy, will both make their international debuts at some point in the second half, Trapattoni said.
Republic of Ireland (vs Czech Republic): Given; O’Shea, St Ledger, O’Dea, Ward; Duff, Whelan, Andrews, McGeady; Long, Keane.
Burnley are one of the few still UK owned…like West Ham, Newcastle, Spurs etc. Liverpool are operated from the US.
@Paul Foot: thanks, that’s the answer to the question no one asked.
@Mick Power: Paul Foot’s Fact of the Day!
@Paul Foot: A founder member of the Football League in 1888, Burnley have played at Turf Moor since 1883.
@Paul Foot: only goalkeepers are allowed to handle the ball. If you score more goals than your opponent, you win the match.
@Acedeuce: If pinocio siad ‘I nose will grow now.’ He will cause a paradox.
@Lorcán Coyle: try that in English next time.
@Paul Foot: the sky is blue
@Philip Mc dermott: and so are you
@Paul Foot: actually i am! Chelsea/patriots/Cavan blue blue blue
I have a bad feeling that Liverpool are going to bottle this.
@Eoin Mulhern: Keep an eye out for Chris Wood! Good thing Lovren isn’t playing
@Eoin Mulhern: that’s the way I feel before every Liverpool game.
@Eoin Mulhern: you weren’t wrong.
Oxlade-Chamberlain the super sub these days?
Milner starting ahead of Chamberlain? Jesus Christ. And Wijnaldum and Henderson are on the bench as well. Unlucky ox
@Jordan Callaghan: If you think the Ox is better than Milner you need to have your head checked.
@Stephen Lyons: I never said he was better you clown, I’m slagging chamberlain
@Jordan Callaghan: Does he usually slag you back?
@Stephen Lyons: Jesus you’re so funny ha ha ha
Terrible performance,you have to ask questions of Klopp’s activity in the transfer market now.
Poo fans……. next year
Get in there Arfield
@Jordan Callaghan: well that didn’t last long
Worse than Rodgers absolute spoofer that Klopp bloke.
Shit atmosphere so far cop on kopites