GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S CHARGES will train at Malahide this afternoon ahead of tomorrow night’s Carling Nations Cup clash with Northern Ireland.

Trap faced the press earlier at the team’s base, naming his side for the Aviva Stadium showdown; West Brom forward Simon Cox will win his first cap but Richard Dunne is out injured.

The Aston Villa defender has reported shoulder and achilles problems.

“He is suspended also for the Macedonia game so it is better to stay at home. I think it will be better next season when we start again,” said the manager earlier.

While some of those included in the squad are struggling to make it in on time due to problems with flights caused by bad weather, others have stayed at home by choice.

Anthony Stokes says he is ‘too tired’ to play in the tournament – a decision Trap seemed less than impressed by earlier.

Ciaran Clark and Caleb Folan are injured, meanwhile, and those involved in the Champions League final (John O’Shea, Darron Gibson) and the play-offs (Shane Long, Kevin Kilbane) don’t feature either.

Marco Tardelli insisted that the absence of so many regulars offers a chance for others to shine however.

“We will try some new players and the players who have rested during this week can start the first game,” he said.

“There will be room for young players like (Séamus) Coleman, (Keith) Treacy and (Simon) Cox. We still have choices even if some of the players in the first half will not have experience in the national team. I think it will be a good team.”

Ireland team to play Northern Ireland: Given; McShane, Kelly, Delaney, Wilson; Coleman/Lawrence, Andrews, Fahey/Foley, Treacy; Keane, Cox.

Join us tomorrow night for our minute-by-minute report from Lansdowne Road>