SOCCER: AS GIOVANNI Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland side for Saturday's important European championship qualifier in Skopje started to take shape on the training ground in Malahide, Stephen Ward looked to have done enough in his first two senior outings to at least have the Italian reviewing his options at left back.
Kevin Kilbane remains the favourite to get the number-three shirt and maintain his remarkable unbroken record in competitive games for Ireland but yesterday the former Sunderland and Everton player was deployed in central midfield, the position where he played most of his club football in recent months with Huddersfield.
Ward, meanwhile, was on the left of a back four that also included Paul McShane (at right back), John O’Shea and Seán St Ledger. The other three look to be Trapattoni’s preferred starters although Darren O’Dea looks well placed to come in if the Italian finally decides the Preston defender is simply too much out of a game after a nearly three month lay off.
Ward, meanwhile, would represent something of a punt in such a big game too as Trapattoni admits, and the 72 year-old sounded like a man who was inclined to fall back on Kilbane’s experience as he continued to weigh the pair’s respective cases in his head yesterday afternoon.
“I’ve seen him play well, but also see Kilbane with energy. On the pitch in Macedonia we will need experience. We have some time against Italy and he (Ward) will get time. But away from home this time it is very dangerous, psychologically as well
“We have to think about this situation. It’s an away game and we need experienced players without fear, those who have personality. But Ward has been very good for us.”
Elsewhere, things are probably going about as well for Trapattoni as he could have hoped given how many players he lost before the squad began its preparations in earnest. Shay Given looks fit and sharp while Keith Andrews appears to have proven his fitness just when he is needed most.
“He (Andrews) has recovered very well as he had slight inflammation of the Achilles yesterday,” said the manager. “But he is very well today. All the team is very well.
“The training is going well,” he continued. “The whole squad is very, very well. The players are lively, very lively. Not lovely! Lively, don’t make the mistake because of my accent.”
The squad travels to Macedonia this afternoon.
