Breen out of Republic squad
Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr today headed out to Cyprus with a 21-man squad following the withdrawal of Sunderland centre-back Gary Breen.
The experienced 31-year-old, who has not made an appearance under Kerr for 11 months despite consistently being in the squads, is out with a calf strain sustained in the 1-1 draw at home to West Ham on Saturday.
With Barnsley goalkeeper Nick Colgan not arriving until this morning, Kerr worked with 20 players in the final training session on Irish soil ahead of Saturday’s crunch World Cup Group Four qualifying clash against Cyprus in Nicosia.
Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, Everton midfielder Kevin Kilbane and Newcastle right-back Stephen Carr all trained after missing yesterday’s work-out, the latter following a family bereavement.
Liverpool defender Steve Finnan also came through the session showing no ill effects from the sore knee which restricted him to nothing more than a walk around the Gannon Park pitch – home of Malahide United – yesterday.
The only concern for Kerr, who underlined the word brief in the term ’media briefing’ as he spoke for just 67 seconds before then joining the squad on the team coach to Dublin airport, surrounded Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid who turned his ankle.
“Gary (Breen) won’t be travelling,” confirmed Kerr.
“He is staying behind at Sunderland for treatment, although he might join up with us on Sunday depending on how it goes with him over the next few days.
“Steven Reid has received ice on his ankle. He had a slight turn on it, but it’s not too bad. I think it will be fine.
“Stephen Carr sat out training for a bit because he was sore after his game at the weekend (Newcastle at Portsmouth), but again he will be fine. It’s nothing serious and I’m expecting him to train fully tomorrow.
“As for Steve Finnan, I expected him to train, although not for him to do as much as he did. But he came through the whole lot and we did an hour and 10 minutes.”
Kerr also travelled without the suspended duo of Tottenham winger Andy Reid and Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison, although both are available for next Wednesday’s final group match against Switzerland at Lansdowne Road, while influential midfielder Roy Keane is sidelined with a broken bone in his left foot.
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