Defender blow for Kerr
Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has lost another defender to injury ahead of his side’s triple bill of fixtures over the next fortnight.
Kerr, without the services of Manchester City centre-back Richard Dunne who underwent a double ankle opeation before the end of the season, has now seen Sunderland’s Gary Breen withdraw.
The 31-year-old has failed to recover from a knee injury sustained in the final game of Sunderland’s promotion-winning campaign from the Coca-Cola Championship, a 1-0 win at home to Stoke.
Breen is now out of this Sunday’s testimonial game against Celtic at Parkhead, as well as the World Cup qualifying matches with Israel at Lansdowne Road on June 4 and the Faroe Islands in Torshavn on June 8.
Kerr confirmed: “Gary’s knee injury has failed to respond to daily treatment since the last game of the season and he has had to withdraw from these games.
“I am disappointed to lose a defender of Gary’s experience, but I am hopeful he will be fit to return for the autumn internationals.”
