Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has added Shane Long to his squad ahead of next week’s friendly international against Greece after the West Brom striker played in Monday night’s Premier League win over Southampton.
The forward had been doubtful for the game amid concerns over a hamstring problem, and was left out of the initial squad last week, but he played a key role in the Baggies’ 2-0 win, setting up Peter Odemwingie’s second goal before coming off after 71 minutes.
“Giovanni Trapattoni today confirmed his 23-man squad to face Greece,” an FAI statement read yesterday. “Based on his current fitness after his appearance for West Brom against Southampton last night, Shane Long has been called up to the squad.”
The Italian has relegated Millwalls Andy Keogh, Chelsea’s Conor Clifford, Everton’s Shane Duffy and Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney to a standby list, after all four were named in the provisional 26-man selection last week.
The manager also learned on Monday night that defender Richard Dunne has returned to training with Aston Villa. He will not be available for next week’s friendly, but after five months out of action with a groin problem he picked up during Euro 2012, things are finally looking up for the the Dubliner.
He has undergone two operations to try and resolve the injury and has finally received the green light to step up his fitness work, but Villa boss Paul Lambert is unsure when he will be ready for a first-team recall. “He’s still a wee bit away,” said Lambert.
Dunne has endured a torrid time with injuries during 2012 and missed the final three months of last season with a broken shoulder.
“The last operation I had seems to have really worked,” he said last night. “I’ve been lucky not to have too many injuries during my career but it’s been several months where I’ve not been fit.”
The Ireland squad will join up in Dublin for training on Sunday morning, ahead of the game on Wednesday, November 14th.
Revised squad
Goalkeepers: Westwood (Sunderland), Forde (Millwall), Randolph (Motherwell)
Defenders: Coleman (Everton), O'Shea (Sunderland), O'Dea (Toronto FC), Kelly (Fulham), McShane (Hull City), Ward (Wolves), Clark (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Andrews (Bolton Wanderers), McCarthy (Wigan Ath), Fahey (Birmingham City), Meyler (Sunderland), Whelan (Stoke City), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), McClean (Sunderland), Brady (Hull City (loan)), Hoolahan (Norwich City)
Forwards: Doyle (Wolves), Cox (Nottm Forest), Walters (Stoke City), Long (West Brom).
Standby list: Keogh (Millwall), Clifford (Chelsea), Duffy (Everton), Delaney (Crystal Palace)
