Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has suggested that the squad he will pick for the friendly with Bulgaria will be the panel he hopes to call upon for the start of the World Cup qualifiers in September.
Ireland face Bulgaria at Lansdowne Road on August 18 in what is their final game before the start of the competitive games with Cyprus due in Dublin on September 4 before Ireland travel to Basel to face Switzerland and Paris for the clash with France over the following four weeks and Kerr wants his best players in Dublin for the Bulgaria clash.
But Kerr's plans may be hampered:
Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane could miss the opening months of the season and Ireland’s early World Cup qualifiers after he suffered an ankle injury in a pre-season friendly for Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
Keane suffered the injury in the 28th minute of Spurs’ friendly with Rangers and knew there was a problem immediately as he frantically signalled to the bench for treatment. A few moments later, he was carried from the field with his right ankle in a brace – the same ankle that he injured last year in Ireland’s friendly victory over Australia.
And finally, regular visitors to the site will know that we have been paying the Mark Kinsella transfer saga with very close attention. Well, Ireland's answer to David Beckham has finally signed for...
Republic of Ireland midfielder Mark Kinsella has joined Football League One side Walsall on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion.
Released by West Brom at the end of the season, the 48 times capped midfielder has opted for a move to Walsall.
"Having spoken to (Walsall manager) Paal Merson over the past couple of days, it is obvious that he is excited by what lies ahead for the club and I want to be a part of that," said Kinsella.
"I am looking forward to the challenge and am in no doubt that I am going to be happy and enjoy my football here."
Oh, and Irish football's favouite smurf striker David Conolly has really taken a huge step up in his career. He's joined Leicester City. Now we know why he is Ireland's top striker...
>> Terms & Conditions