Trapattoni confident of Finnan return

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni remains confident that Steve Finnan will make himself available for selection…

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni remains confident that Steve Finnan will make himself available for selection once the defender has recovered from a thigh strain.

Speaking in Castlebar, Co Mayo today, Trapattoni said: "He [Finnan] will come back, but not immediately as he is not fit.

"Finnan said to me, 'when I am ready without injury, sure I will come back'.

"At the moment my news is that he is not fit from injury".

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Elaborating, Liam Brady said: "I spoke to Steve Finnan yesterday and he has an injury at the moment (thigh). That's the situation. We haven't had any vibes, no."

Trapattoni also said he intends to speak to Steven Ireland and Andy O'Brien about making a return to the Ireland squad ahead of the friendly game against Norway at the end of next month.

Brady added that the management team would be speaking the players who were not available for the Portugal tour or the matches against Serbia and Colombia, including the Andy Reid, Steven Reid, Darren Potter and Kevin Kilbane.

Ireland's 2010 World Cup campaign kicks off with away games against Georgia and Montenegro on September 6th and 10th respectively.