Pilkingtonpulls out of World Cup qualifiers
NORWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Jose Fonte of Southampton battles with Anthony Pilkington of Norwich City during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Southampton at Carrow Road on March 9, 2013 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
EMMET MALONE
Anthony Pilkington, who has yet to gain his first cap, is out of the Republic of Ireland’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria after limping out of a league game for Norwich with a hamstring problem.
The 24-year-old lasted 35 minutes of the scoreless draw with Southampton before Chris Hughton was forced to replace him with Wes Hoolahan and the FAI subsequently confirmed that it had been informed that he will miss both of Ireland’s games due to the injury.
It was generally a good weekend for Giovanni Trapattoni, with the likes of Marc Wilson and Séamus Coleman playing all 90 minutes of their club’s games even if both ended up on the losing sides.
Meanwhile Seán St Ledger came on for the last four minutes of Leicester’s home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday, his first taste of competitive action in just over five months.
Leicester have signed former Chelsea midfielder Conor Clifford until the end of the season.
Stephen Ward was sent off towards the end of Wolves’ loss at Nottingham Forest where Kevin Doyle was brought on for the last 22 minutes.
Jonathan Walters scored a penalty for Stoke City at Newcastle yesterday while Shane Long was missing again for West Brom in their 2-1 victory over Swansea on Saturday due to an ankle ligament problem.
