Stephen Hunt is in line to replace the injured Damien Duff when the Republic of Ireland get their World Cup qualifying campaign underway against Georgia in Mainz on Saturday. The Reading winger got the nod ahead of Andy Keogh from manager Giovanni Trapattoni today, when he was quizzed on the matter after training at Malahide United's Gannon Park.
"He is a young player with 100 per cent enthusiasm," said the Italian this afternoon. "He helps all his colleagues on the pitch. He understands that he can track back or play in front.
"For us that is important. There are other players like Duff but we have enough offensive players like McGeady, Keane, Doyle and also Duff who can score a goal"
It will be the only change to the team that drew 1-1 with Norway last month and means Trapattoni is happy to start Kevin Kilbane at left-back, despite the Wigan man suffering from a fractured cheekbone.
Kilbane is expected to play with a protective mask which he had fitted yesterday.
New Espanyol signing Steve Finnan will therefore start at right back, with John O'Shea and Richard Dunne continuing their partnership at central defence.
Aiden McGeady will start on the right wing with Glenn Whelan and Steven Reid in the middle and Kevin Doyle partnering captain Robbie Keane up front.
The squad fly to Frankfurt this afternoon and will train at Mainz's Bruchweg stadium tomorrow.
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