DAVID CONNOLLY, the Watford forward, said yesterday that a decision on his availability for the Republic of Ireland's game against Wales at Cardiff on February 11th would be made next week.

Connolly is given only a slender chance of recovering in time from an injury sustained in Monday's scoreless draw with Luton Town but he is still determined to pursue his fight for fitness. He has already been ruled out of the game against Rotherham at the weekend and unless he plays against Brentford on February 9th, he will be automatically withdrawn from the international game.

A trust fund, designed to help retired international players, has finally been put in place by the FAI. The board of trustees will comprise Chief Justice Liam Hamilton, David Andrews, TD, Pat Quigley, FAI president Brendan Menton, FAI treasurer, Terry Conroy, a former international, and Mick Lawlor, a former international.

An FAI spokesman said yesterday the board was contacting potential beneficiaries of the scheme but because of the sensitivities involved, its operations would not be widely publicised.