Hull City midfielder Stephen Quinn has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad after Paul Green was forced out of the England friendly at Wembley by a hamstring injury.
The incoming 27-year-old has not been in an international squad since Steve Staunton’s reign and has never been capped at senior level. On the face of it, that would seem unlikely to change, but if Glenn Whelan’s calf strain does not ease between now and Wednesday, he might just edge that bit closer.
Whelan trained alone today, having requested a rest, while Marc Wilson is also feeling the effects of a calf injury and the manager is more wary of his condition and may save him for Ireland’s only competitive game of this window on June 7th.
"Glenn said to me that he needed to rest, but he thinks in two days he could ready for the game," said Giovanni Trapattoni this evening.
“Marc,” he added, “says he has a slightly tight calf but he is okay, as well. Against England, his personality will be important, but we have to be careful with him. If I’m not sure he’s ready I’ll keep him for the Faroes (Islands).”
Trapattoni welcomed Richard Dunne to Watford’s training ground in St Albans today. Having not featured for Ireland since the misery of Euro 2012, the defender, it would seem, is merely there to catch up.
“I spoke with him (Dunne) and clarified the position,” said the Italian. “I told him that we need him for the future. He doesn’t have a club at the moment. We said to him that we’re happy that he has joined up with us. But I told him to be careful because an injury for him now would be very dangerous.”
Captain Robbie Keane is expected to join the squad on Tuesday morning after he leads LA Galaxy against Seattle Sounders tomorrow, while Toronto’s Darren O’Dea is due in tomorrow, after today’s 2-0 defeat to New England Revolution.
Aiden McGeady’s arrival was postponed after his appeal against the severity of the six-week ban he received for striking Mordovia Saransk’s Vladimir Bozovic was upheld and he played in Spartak Moscows’ 2-0 win over Alaniya today. He, too, is expected tomorrow.
England manager Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, has described Trapattoni as a "legend" ahead of the first meeting between to the two sides since 1995.
"He's a friend of mine, he has been a friend for many years since I went to Italy all those years ago," said Hodgson. "He's one of the world's outstanding coaches. If you ever want to talk about legends in coaching terms then Giovanni Trapattoni's name will be up there. You show me a national team coach that's not getting stick somewhere."
Hodgson added, however, that he has got the better of the Italian in his career thus far.
“The game that stands out in my meetings with him was in the European Cup when my Malmo team knocked Inter Milan out. Overall I am in credit in our meetings but that doesn’t mean much. I am not a great believer that wins in the past can get you wins in the future.”
With Rio Ferdinand and John Terry now retired, Hodgson will be looking for Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones and Joleon Lescott to provide the central defensive lead next week.
