SHEFFIELD UNITED goalkeeper Alan Kelly has confirmed his withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland squad for next Wednesday's friendly international with the Czech Republic in Prague.
Mick McCarthy's first choice man has been suffering for several weeks with a back injury and his absence may open the way for Celtic's Packie Bonner to win his 79th cap for his country.
McCarthy is, however, still hoping that teenager Shay Given, currently on loan to Sunderland from Blackburn, will have recovered from a rib injury in time to take his place in the 22 man party.
Given is hoping to be available for Sunderland's big promotion game at home to Stoke on Sunday. He then aims to make the dash to London and catch the flight to Prague in the hope of winning his second cap.
"He is injured but he's playing on Sunday for Sunderland against Stoke as far as I know and after that I'm expecting to see him in Prague," said McCarthy last night.
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