Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Don Givens was yesterday forced to draft in three new players for next week's international tournament in Toulon following the withdrawal through injury of several key figures in his panel.

With Bradford's Andy O'Brien and Jason Gavin of Middlesbrough both having informed Givens that they are unable to travel, the Ireland boss has lost what may well have been his first choice central defensive partnership in next Thursday evening's opening game against Colombia.

The loss of Celtic's Colin Healy is less surprising as he has been struggling with injury but the Corkman's absence will nevertheless be a further blow to the Irish team's hopes of getting out of a very tough group that also includes Portugal and Ghana.

In their places Givens has named Greg O'Halloran of Cork City, Manchester United's John O'Shea and Sunderland striker Michael Reddy - although it is not yet clear whether Reddy will be available to travel. The squad is due to arrive in France on Sunday evening and will play a friendly game against one of the host club's youth teams on Monday.

At home, meanwhile, former St Patrick's Athletic manager Liam Buckley has been confirmed as manager of first division club Athlone Town. Buckley had originally left St Mel's Park to take over at Inchicore but having been dismissed at Christmas he has accepted an offer to return to his former club.

Buckley had also been a target for Dundalk, who this week were also said to have had talks with their former manager Turlough O'Connor. Having failed to get either the club is still hoping to make an appointment over the weekend with former player and recent Crusaders manager Martin Murray now the favourite.