Ireland

Dunne sits out Ireland training

Soccer: Richard Dunne sat out the Republic of Ireland’s training session this morning but Marco Tardelli is “100 per cent” certain…

Richard Dunne looks on from the bench as the Republic of Ireland squad prepare for Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier with Russia. Despite missing training, the Aston Villa defender is expected to be fit. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

IRISH TIMES reporters
Tue Oct 5 2010 - 01:00

Soccer:Richard Dunne sat out the Republic of Ireland's training session this morning but Marco Tardelli is "100 per cent" certain the defender will be fit for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Russia and Slovakia.

Dunne made his comeback from a knee injury for Aston Villa at the weekend and while assistant manager Tardelli admitted he was still slightly troubled by the injury, he insisted today’s absence was purely a precautionary measure.

“He feels well but it is better for him to have the rest for one day,” Tardelli told reporters at the end of training in Malahide. “It is a precaution and there is no problem.”

Bohemians' Jason Byrne celebrates scoring the winner against Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park (Photograph: James CrombieINpho)

Dunne is due to train with the rest of the squad tomorrow and Tardelli has no concerns over his availability to start on Friday when Russia come to the Aviva Stadium.

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Tardelli hopes to garner at least four points from the double-header, a tally that would put Ireland in a position of real strength at the top of Group B, but is under no illusions just how difficult a task lies ahead.

After a shaky start, Russia come to Dublin desperately needing a win to get their campaign back on track and despite their defeat at home to Slovakia, Dick Advocaat’s squad have real strength in depth.

“The Russian team are a very good team with good qualities and they have important players, some who play in England and Germany,” Tardelli cautioned. “The Russian team maybe has better quality than Slovakia but Slovakia are very tough. They are two different teams

“All the players must do their best. Like the other matches . . . we need to press the Russian team because they can play well in the midfield.

“They are a quality teams with many quality players. (Andrei) Arshavin, (Roman) Pavlyuchenko and other players with Zenit. They are very good technically but with pressure in midfield it is possible for us to attack and it’s possible for us to play well.”

*Roman Pavlyuchenko will not be making the trip to Dublin after failing to recover from an ankle injury. The Spurs striker, who was up against Dunne at the weekend, has been ruled out by Advocaat.

"Last night we made a decision that Pavlyuchenko will not travel with the squad to Dublin and Skopje," Advocaat told reporters today.

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