Staunton leaves the door open for Kenny to return

Shay Given, Darren O'Dea and Aiden McGeady have joined the list of absentees from the Republic of Ireland's post-season trip to the US, according to Steve Staunton. But the manager says the door is open to Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny if he wishes - as he indicated last week he did - to return to the international set-up after the summer.

The Newcastle United goalkeeper Given will, like team-mate Damien Duff, skip the games against Ecuador and Bolivia in New York and Boston on May 23rd and 26th respectively, while the list of players Staunton will be without on the nine-day mini-tour will also include both Reids - Andy and Steven.

Staunton, speaking at the announcement by the FAI and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council of the appointment of Rory O'Hare as a football development officer in the community, said he would also understand if Spurs looked to have Ireland skipper Robbie Keane omitted from the travelling party.

"We know Damien is gone," he said. "Shay won't be going. The two Celtic boys are gone. The two Reids are definitely out. Andy Reid is either still in America or just coming back this week. He has had his work done over there so we will see how he is next year. Steven is making great progress and is, hopefully, ahead of schedule.

"If Robbie is carrying an injury," he continued, after it was suggested to him the striker has been in recent weeks, "I hope he continues to carry it. He is scoring a couple of goals a game and he will be well happy with that . . . We will have to see what Spurs say and take it from there.

"It might be a case of Robbie needing a rest but we won't know for a week or two. I am happy for him to rest if needs be.

"I want to try things out anyway with different players. That's what it's about. Friendlies are there to use players, to give them a bit more experience."

Asked about the various players who might be available to him from the leading Championship sides, he said he would be better placed to make a call on who will travel in a couple of weeks' time: "I can't (make any decisions) until the play-offs."

Staunton expects a number of Premiership stars to make the trip, including Kevin Doyle, who has rediscovered his scoring touch for Reading: "I would be very surprised if Kevin says he wants to rest. The reason I have got the games in May is to make sure they have at least four to six weeks' total break and that's long enough really as a footballer. But if Kevin does need an extra couple of weeks, I haven't got a problem with that."

Colin Doyle's form for Birmingham City should earn him a seat on the flight to New York on May 18th, with Wayne Henderson, Darron Randolph and Nicky Colgan in contention to travel too, but Staunton says if Kenny wishes to be considered in the autumn then he will have a look at the situation then: "When he talks to us, we will see where he is and where he is at and see what he's up to," he said.