McGeady ruled out, Long a doubt

International & domestic news: Aiden McGeady is out of the Republic of Ireland squad to face San Marino in Wednesday's European qualifier because of injury.

The Celtic winger is struggling with a knee problem and his place in the squad goes to Newcastle's Alan O'Brien who has featured in Staunton selections before.

Having named a fresh-faced squad to face the European minnows, Staunton is likely to experiment and McGeady was a strong contender for a starting position, with a role wide right the likeliest call.

But his withdrawal could now see Kevin Kilbane cement his place in the team at the Serravalle Stadium.

With Duff and McGeady tipped to start out wide, the Wigan man would probably have been sacrificed but he is now the leading contender - despite Stephen Hunt's inclusion - for the left with Duff switching sides.

Shane Long is one of seven new caps selected by Staunton but the Reading man is now a doubt for the game because of a thigh strain.

Although the Tipperary man played - and scored - against Wigan during the week, the thigh problem that kept him out of the FA Cup game against Birmingham the weekend before has resurfaced.

Long missed training yesterday and Reading manager Steve Coppell will give the 20-year-old a fitness test ahead of tomorrow's Premiership game at Manchester City.

Newcastle's Shay Given (groin), Andy Reid (hamstring) of Charlton and Blackburn's Steven Reid (knee) are already ruled out.

After the weekend club action in England and Scotland, Staunton's squad arrive into Dublin on Sunday evening for the FAI International Awards at Citywest Hotel.

The manager will then put his players through their paces in Malahide on Monday morning before departing for San Marino that afternoon.

The squad will train at the match venue on Tuesday morning ahead of Wednesday's kick-off at 7.45pm (Irish time).

•• Shelbourne owner Ollie Byrne is confident the club is in safe hands in his absence and believes the league champions will emerge from their serious financial predicament.

Recovering in hospital following surgery, Byrne conceded the club was facing "trying times" but gave his full backing to acting chairman Finbarr Flood and chief executive Sean Connolly.

"I know that Finbarr Flood . . and Sean Connolly . . .the Board of Management and staff are working away in the background to ensure the club remains at the forefront of football in this country," he said in a statement.

"The club is in safe hands and I have little doubt that their joint efforts will work.  It is a time for everyone associated with the club to do whatever they can to help and I know they will."

Byrne, who thanked well-wishers, is recovering well despite hankering after a return to work.

Shelbourne are heavily in debt, have withdrawn from the Setanta Sports Cup, have no manager or players and, according to some reports, are on the brink of collapse unless a deal can be struck for the sale of Tolka Park.

FAI club licensing officials are expected to meet this weekend to consider aspects of the playing licence granted to Shelbourne for the season ahead which starts on March 9th.

Goalkeeper Steve Williams is the latest player to leave Tolka Park after signing for Bray Wanderers on a free transfer.