Pressure is growing on Steve Staunton, the Republic of Ireland and Aston Villa defender, to make an early announcement about his plans for the new season. Staunton, a free agent at the end of the month, has been linked with European and English clubs in recent months.
Now Villa manager John Gregory wants him to decide by June 1st if he wishes to stay with the club. "I believe it's now in everyone's interests that he should make an announcement about his plans," he said.
"He is aware that we want him to remain at Villa Park, but at this stage we need to know if he will accept our offer to do so".
News from the Republic of Ireland training camp yesterday was that Damien Duff has restarted light training in preparation for Saturday's meeting with Mexico at Lansdowne Road.
Duff, hoping to make his home debut as a senior international, is recovering from a groin problem but was sufficiently recovered to join Mick Byrne, one of the team's physiotherapists, in light training. He is expected to undertake more serious work when the squad trains at Carrickmacross today.
Mick McCarthy was further encouraged yesterday when Shay Given joined the squad after visiting a specialist in Newcastle on Tuesday for advice on a groin injury which has troubled him in recent weeks. He is scheduled to return to the specialist next week for a report on his progress and has been cleared to play on Saturday.
"He looked particularly sharp in training today and I don't see any real problem at this point," said McCarthy. "I've also been impressed with the form in training of Dean Kiely (the reserve goalkeeper) and he will probably play at some stage of the game."
It was confirmed yesterday that Paul Walsh's contract as executive secretary of the National League has been terminated with immediate effect. The announcement came just 16 months after his appointment which was hailed as an important element in the new revised plans for domestic football.
Announcing that an amicable termination of the contract had been agreed, Bernard O'Byrne, the FAI's chief executive, said: "Paul has identified a new direction he wishes to take in the football world and we wish him the very best of good fortune in the future."
