Givens drafts in fresh faces

Republic of Ireland caretaker manager Don Givens has bolstered his defensive options ahead of Saturday's final Euro 2008 qualifiers…

Republic of Ireland caretaker manager Don Givens has bolstered his defensive options ahead of Saturday's final Euro 2008 qualifiers in Cardiff, drafting Alex Bruce, Darren O'Dea and Kevin Foley into the squad.

The trio have been added as Andy O'Brien became the latest to be ruled out of the match against Wales, the Bolton centre half unable to join the rest of the squad as they assembled in Wales this evening. O'Brien will have surgery on a nose injury tomorrow, scotching any hopes of an appearance at the Millennium Stadium.

And with Richard Dunne and Stephen Kelly remaining with their clubs for treatment, Givens has moved to provide cover should it be required. Goalkeeper Shay Given also remains a doubt, despite returning to training today following a recurrence of his groin problem, while Steven Reid and Joey O'Brien withdrew from the squad last week.

Of the three players called up, only Ipswich defender Bruce has been capped at senior level, his solitary appearance coming against Ecuador during the tour of the United States last summer. Celtic's O'Dea has captained the Irish under-21s while Wolves's Foley has also come through the underage ranks.

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Givens, in charge following Steve Staunton's recent departure due to the Republic's sorry qualifying campaign, was not too despondent with the injury news.

"It's unfortunate what has happened this week," said Givens. "When I got to Sunday evening without a phone call I thought I was home and dry, but they are coming thick and fast now.

"They are all in one area of the team as well, which gives us a bit of a problem, but we will just have to deal with it. The boys here have already proved they can do it, so I don't have fears for any of them."

Givens also insists there is no problem with morale in the wake of Staunton's exit and Ireland's failure to qualify for a tournament for the third successive occasion.

"They are professionals," maintained Givens. "Obviously we are a few bodies short, but I don't expect there to be a problem. I expect us to be up, and once that national anthem goes on Saturday, they will know what it's all about."

Although the Republic's hopes of playing in next summer's finals in Switzerland and Austria disappeared long ago, Givens is adamant Saturday's game is far from "meaningless".

"We are obviously hoping to finish the campaign with a positive result," added Givens. "These players don't want to be dwelling on a bad performance for three months before the next game.

"That's what happens in international football. You can't get it out of your system. You are stuck with it for months. But these boys don't want it, and I don't want it, so we will be giving it the best we can to get that third spot.

"So we have to have a bit of pride when we look at the group after this is over and not be cringing."

Revised Republic of Ireland Squad

Goalkeepers
Shay Given - Newcastle United
Joe Murphy - Scunthorpe United
Colin Doyle - Birmingham City

Defenders
Steve Finnan - Liverpool
Kevin Foley - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stephen Kelly - Birmingham City
Richard Dunne - Manchester City
Paul McShane - Sunderland
Darren O'Dea - Celtic
John O'Shea - Manchester United
Alex Bruce - Ipswich Town

Midfielders
Aiden McGeady - Celtic
Lee Carsley - Everton
Jonathon Douglas - Leeds United
Darren Potter - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Andy Reid - Charlton Athletic
Liam Miller - Sunderland
Stephen Hunt - Reading
Kevin Kilbane - Wigan Athletic

Strikers
Robbie Keane - Tottenham Hotspur
Daryl Murphy - Sunderland
Anthony Stokes - Sunderland
Kevin Doyle - Reading