Soccer: As promised, Giovanni Trapattoni will give Seamus Coleman and Ciaran Clarke their Republic of Ireland debuts in the opening fixture of the inaugural Carling Nations Cup against Wales in Dublin on Tuesday.
The manager committed to giving both youngsters their first senior international caps yesterday and has remained true to his word, picking Clark at left-back in an otherwise experienced backline and Coleman on the right wing, where he has excelled for Everton this season.
In the absence of injured captain Robbie Keane, who withdrew yesterday with a calf strain, Jonathan Walters of Stoke City will make his first start, alongside Wolves striker Kevin Doyle. Walters won his first cap as a second half substitute in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Norway last November.
The manager has yet to decide whether to start Derby County’s Paul Green or Manchester United’s Darron Gibson in central midfield, though admitted his preference was for the latter, without expanding on why he could not yet confirm the selection.
Goalkeeper Shay Given will captain the side, behind a familiar trio - John O’Shea, Richard Dunne and Seán St Ledger - as well as Aston Villa’s Clark.
While it was good news for the two newcomers, the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of another young talent appeared a little contentious this afternoon.
James McCarthy withdrew yesterday, apparently at the behest of his club Wigan Athletic because of concerns over his fitness, having recently returned from a serious ankle injury.
However, having spoken to Wigan manager Roberto Martinez about the situation, there appeared to be an underlying sense of disgruntlement to Trapattoni's explanation.
“He (McCarthy) has an injury,” said the Ireland boss. “He (Martinez) said Wigan are in a bad position in the table and he said maybe he should stay at home.
“I accept this because Martinez was very clear and I understood him. I wish to have him but I have to respect his opinion. I wouldn’t like to be in conflict with the club. We can wait. He is young, his time is in the future.”
The Italian, though, dismissed suggestions the young Scot, capped once in a friendly against Brazil, might be having doubts over where his allegiances lie.
Given, Ireland’s most-capped player with 109 appearances, believes attitudes may have changed since he started out in his international career and suggested McCarthy may have withdrawn himself.
“I don’t know what his situation is but, as the manager says, he (McCarthy) is very young,” he said. “When I was very young I was very excited to be in the squad but maybe young players’ mentalities have changed since I was 20 or 21.
“But we would take him with open arms because he is a quality player. We hope he is going to be a big part of the future. I think he will be an important player for us in future and the games coming up. Hopefully it is just about growing up — as he gets older and wiser he’ll be hungrier.
“But it could be that he is doing rehabilitation work at Wigan this week. A lot goes on that we don’t see behind the scenes. Maybe he’ll be better for Wigan for that next week, as it’s only a friendly for ourselves.”
New Wales boss Gary Speed has had to cope with a litany of injuries. The 41-year-old was denied the services of Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy, while Aaron Ramsey, David Edwards, Ched Evans, Boaz Myhill, Craig Morgan, Danny Gabbidon and Steve Morison also withdrew from contention.
Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has been given the nod between the sticks, with Blackpool's Neal Eardley, Aston Villa's James Collins, Stoke's Danny Collins and Bolton's Sam Ricketts making up the back four.
Norwich's Andrew Crofts and Blackpool's David Vaughan will anchor the midfield, allowing Reading duo Simon Church and Hal Robson-Kanu and Leicester's Andy King to move forward. Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw will lead the line as a lone forward.
Speed insisted today the absentees have made picking the team that bit easier and rebuffed any suggestion commitment to the cause was an issue.
"It is a busy time of the season," he said. "I've been in touch with the boys. Gareth (Bale) and a few others have been down to see me. It is in the middle of the season, a tough schedule and you are going to expect withdrawals.
"I don't think the commitment of the players who are not here is in doubt and the withdrawals have made the job a bit easier."
The former Leeds and Everton player revealed that in the absence of Bellamy - who travelled but will not play - Collins would be skipper again
"James is captain. With the withdrawals and the game on Sunday it would be very tough for me to name a permanent captain as yet. It's given me time to meet the lads, be around the camp and see what's going on. We'll make a permanent decision before the England game."
Republic of Ireland:
Given; O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Clark; Coleman, Whelan, Gibson/Green; Duff; Walters, Doyle.
Wales team:Hennessey, Eardley, D Collins, J Collins, Ricketts, Crofts, King, Vaughan, Church, Earnshaw, Robson-Kanu
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