Long to miss key clash in Moscow

Soccer:Striker Shane Long has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's crucial European Championship qualifier in Russia next Tuesday with the calf strain that saw him miss the 0-0 draw with Slovakia on Friday night.

The West Brom frontman was initially named in the starting side for the Slovakia game but was forced out by the injury, with his place going to Kevin Doyle.

There was some good news for Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni, however, with skipper Robbie Keane, who received a knock to the back, and defender John O’Shea, who has a sore Achilles tendon, expected to be fit for the clash against the Group B leaders at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Trapattoni will have to make at least one change with central defender Seán St Ledger suspended after picking up a second booking against the Slovakians.

Darren O’Dea could replace him, although O’Shea could move inside with either Kevin Foley or Stephen Kelly taking over at right back.

Russia are two points clear at the top of the group after their 1-0 win over Macedonia with Ireland and Slovakia level in second on 14 points.

Trapattoni is ready to gamble once again on the fitness of Aiden McGeady in Russia despite the winger admitting he is not match-fit.

The 25-year-old Spartak Moscow man, who had only a few minutes of football under his belt after two months out with ankle ligament damage, started against Slovakia but struggled to force his way into a tight game.

McGeady later revealed he was fighting for breath as he attempted to find his fitness on the pitch.

Asked if he was fully fit, he replied: “Not really, to be honest. In training, I felt okay, I felt quite sharp, but a game is totally different.

“Even in the first half, I felt quite out of breath. It’s the first competitive football I have played in almost three months and I definitely felt the effects of it.

“There were times in the game when I just felt I had given away the ball cheaply — obviously, that’s nothing to do with lack of fitness, but I wasn’t myself, I don’t think.

“I just felt I wasn’t quick off the mark, I wasn’t sharp. I was just a yard off the play.

“It’s obviously disappointing, but I would never turn down a chance to play for Ireland. The manager wanted me to play, so I answered his call.”

However, Trapattoni, who eventually replaced McGeady with Stephen Hunt after 85 minutes, was unrepentant when asked about his decision to keep the former Celtic man on the pitch.

He said: “The opponents were scared of him. I didn’t change him earlier because he was playing well.

“He said to me he was okay. He was out for two months with an injury, like (Kevin) Doyle.

“We know, you know, we all know. Doyle was the same, he was out for two moths with a knee injury. McGeady, I know this problem.

“It’s easy to say that today. When you speak about it after the game, it’s always easier. But you have to decide.

“Also in Russia, who plays, Hunt or McGeady? He (McGeady) plays in Russia and has the mentality.

“You can decide — and then tomorrow say, ‘Would it not have been better to play the other?’.”

Asked further if he was happy McGeady was fit enough to start in ther stadium where he plays his club football, Trapattoni insisted he would have no qualms about selecting him, although admitted he is not yet ready to play a full game.

He said: “Sure. He is not fit for 90 minutes and I know also Doyle is not fit for 90 minutes because he was out for two months. He was injured for pre-season.”

Trapattoni remains convinced that the failure to gain all three points against Slovakia it is not necessarily fatal.

He said: “Also against Russia, it is possible to win. Every 90 minutes is different. If we can create the same opportunities as we did last night, we can score a goal — but we must take at least one of those opportunities.”