Quintet called up by Trapattoni

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has called up five more players ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

Trapattoni: Five more called into squad
Trapattoni: Five more called into squad

Caleb Folan, Kevin Foley, Anthony Stokes, Keith Andrews and Darron Gibson have all been elevated to the senior squad after starting in Thursday night's 2-0 victory for a representative XI over Nottingham Forest at Dalymount Park.

Uncapped Hull striker Folan scored his side's first goal, with Andy Keogh adding the second.

Blackburn midfielder Andrews and Wolves defender Foley have yet to play a competitive senior international, while Sunderland striker Stokes has three caps and Manchester United midfielder Gibson two.

Trapattoni initially named a 21-man squad which did not include injured trio Steve Finnan, Stephen Kelly and Steven Reid.

The Italian will look to maintain his unbeaten record, which now stretches to five competitive games, against Cyprus, who two years ago blew a huge hole in the Republic's chances of qualifying for the finals of Euro 2008 with a 5-2 victory in Nicosia.

Ireland started their Group Eight campaign in positive fashion with a 2-1 win over Georgia in Germany, and then a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Montenegro in Podgorica.

But they will hope their form at Croke Park, where they will face the Cypriots, will provide a firm foundation for their attempt to make South Africa 2010.

The squad is due to meet up on Saturday ahead of the first full training session at Gannon Park in Malahide.

Squad: Shay Given (Newcastle), Dean Kiely (West Brom), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Alex Bruce (Ipswich), Damien Delaney (QPR), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Kevin Kilbane (Wigan), Joey O'Brien (Bolton), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Paul McShane (Sunderland), Stephen Hunt (Reading), Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Damien Duff (Newcastle), Liam Miller (Sunderland), Andy Reid (Sunderland), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Keith Andrews (Blackburn), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Robbie Keane (Liverpool), Andy Keogh (Wolves), Shane Long (Reading), Daryl Murphy (Sunderland), Caleb Folan (Hull), Anthony Stokes (Sunderland).

Your Comments

ManUmike

"There is alot of talent in that squad if they can just focus they could top the group with Italy, pity about the absentees except Stephen Ireland. After what he did he doesn't deserve to wear the green shirt, I know Keane walked out back in 02 but at least he was doing it through his principles, not lying through his teeth like Ireland did, if he just told the truth from the outset I would respect him more for it."

mylord (Aston Villa fan)

"Not a bad squad,im happy enough!If we'd Finnan, Stephen Reid and that disgrace of a human being "Stephen Ireland" in the squad I'd be delighted and confident of beating any team in our group on our day!"

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