SOCCER;Stephen Hunt admitted yesterday the FAI is likely to get no more and no less than it is willing to pay for when the association finally enters the market to recruit Steve Staunton's replacement, writes Emmet Malone.
The Reading midfielder said he had yet to hear his international team-mates' views on the question of who should be hired, but said the amount of money spent will go a long way towards determining the quality of the next man to hold the job.
"If you spend big then you get big, I suppose," he said in south Wales last night. "It's like anything: if Arsenal buy a player they're prepared to spend a lot and they go for a big player. We (Reading) look for bargains. If you spend money then you will get the best manager, it's simple really."
Asked about who he would like to see appointed, Hunt scarcely gave the impression he has lain awake at night mulling over the possibilities, but when Terry Venables was mentioned, he was enthusiastic.
"I've spoken to (Nicky) Shorey (of England) and obviously I asked him if Venables is coming," he said cheerily. "He seems to like him, he seems to have a lot of respect from the players, which is important, and that counts from a players' perspective. He did very well with Australia and he was unlucky when he was there so he would be a good man to have . . . that's for sure."
With qualification out of the question and a poor crowd expected at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, Hunt conceded that there could be more by way of motivation for the players going into the game and matters are not helped, he joked, by the absence of at least one opponent.
"It (getting psyched up) would have been easier if Craig Bellamy was playing, that's for sure. What can you do if he's not playing? He motivates everybody else, doesn't he? He called me all sorts of names at Croke Park and he was even worse at our place when they beat us 3-0. I won't repeat what he called me. But it's all part of the banter and it's enjoyable. It gets you going."
However, Bellamy's injury-induced absence this weekend is sure to be viewed as something of a bonus by caretaker manager Don Givens who could do without the striker troubling what is going to be a somewhat weakened Irish defence.
As even the replacements for injured defensive replacements started to cry off last night, Givens took solace from the news that Shay Given looks set to shake off the groin problem that has dogged him in recent weeks and play in Cardiff this Saturday.
"We didn't get to talk but the scan obviously went well because he's been back training with Newcastle both yesterday and today," said Givens after the Irish squad's first training session of the week in Cwmbran yesterday. "It's not 100 per cent but I'd be more positive that Shay will be with us now. He's due down tomorrow but he seems more positive in himself. It's a big boost to us."
The question of Given's long-term fitness is still of sufficient concern to his club that a Newcastle United physiotherapist will travel to Cardiff with the goalkeeper but Givens was clearly impressed yesterday by the Donegalman's determination to make the trip himself. "It's a great example really," said the caretaker manager who has regularly expressed frustration in the past over the attitude of international players at one level or another.
"I get the impression that Shay would do anything to play for us . . . which is great, we need him."
The rest of the news out of the Irish camp yesterday was less heartening for Givens who lost three defenders, Richard Dunne (calf), Stephen Kelly (knee ligaments) and Andy O'Brien (nose - according to FAI officials the operation he's about to have is to ease the difficulties he's been having breathing).
Matters then got worse when Ian Harte had to decline a call-up due to a hip problem and Kevin Foley said he could not join up with the panel because of an ankle injury. Alex Bruce of Ipswich and Celtic's Darren O'Dea, however, are expected to be at the University of Glamorgan this morning for the second training session of the week.
Rainer Bonhof, meanwhile, has reiterated his desire to be considered for the Ireland job. The youngest member of the 1974 World Cup-winning side, the 55-year-old was then manager Berti Vogts' assistant when the Germans subsequently won the European Championship in 1996.
He gained his pro licence back in 1988 and has also has spells since as the German and Scottish under-21 manager as well as one back at Borussia Monschengladbach, the club where he made his name as a player. he currently works for Chelsea back in his homeland.
"When I see what's done with Germany's young talent every year I know that on a smaller scale, similar successes could be achieved elsewhere," said the former midfielder.
Simon Davies will this week become the fourth player to captain Wales during their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign in an appointment that underlines John Toshack's growing frustration with Danny Gabbidon.
With Craig Bellamy injured, Toshack was expected to turn to Gabbidon, who filled in for his West Ham team-mate against Bulgaria in August, but the Wales manager has instead told Davies he will lead his country against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.
The decision comes after last month's double header when Wales succumbed to Cyprus following a woeful display in Nicosia and only played marginally better to defeat San Marino 2-1 five days later. Toshack was upset by both performances.
Only Bellamy was absolved from blame, with Gabbidon's name mentioned as one of those who needed to show greater leadership qualities.
