Given set to give Ireland a boost
Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr is confident Shay Given will be fit for his side’s World Cup qualifier in Israel on Saturday.
Newcastle goalkeeper Given missed yesterday’s first training session ahead of the Group Four game at the Ramat-Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv with a hip injury sustained on Friday prior to United’s 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.
Given, who has been one of the cornerstones of Ireland’s rise to the top of the group following the opening four matches, will also sit out training today ahead of the 22-man squad flying to Israel this afternoon.
But Kerr has no qualms Given will be between the posts, particularly after undergoing a scan which has virtually given the 28-year-old the all-clear.
“I got a call on Saturday after Newcastle’s game from their physiotherapist letting me know Shay had had a problem on Friday, and they had given him a fitness test on Saturday morning,” said Kerr.
“They told me there was no problem with him other than he felt a bit sore on Saturday at half-time and that they had then given him an injection allowing him to play on, but they didn’t think it was anything serious.
“It was just a call to reassure us, so I wasn’t concerned and when the medical people examined him, he was given a scan for further reassurance.
“Shay has just come back from the hospital and the scan shows he has a very slight strain. There’s slight bleeding that caused concern on Saturday, but nothing that a couple of days rest won’t fix. So he won’t train today. He will do some walking and we will see how he is tomorrow, but I expect him to be fine by Saturday.”
Charlton midfielder Matt Holland will also miss today’s training session and will meet up with the squad at Dublin airport after spending yesterday with his wife who needed surgery following an accident.
Kerr added: “We expect Matt to arrive on time to join up with us before we go today.”
Ireland captain and Birmingham centre-back Kenny Cunningham will again undergo a light workout, as he did yesterday following the rigours of Sunday’s derby victory over Aston Villa.
Kerr explained: “Kenny trained, but he didn’t do an awful lot because he is suffering with bumps and bruises from the derby match.”
