Source: Daily_Mail
Republic of Ireland blow as Everton's Seamus Coleman latest to withdraw due to injury
Everton midfielder Seamus Coleman is out of the Republic of Ireland squad to face Macedonia on Saturday.[LNB]The former Sligo Town ace, who only made his Ireland debut last month, has withdrawn with the recurrence an ankle injury suffered in training earlier today. Coleman, who trained with the Irish squad earlier today, had arrived with a slight knock and aggravated it in training.[LNB]His absence leaves Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni down to 25 players following Leon Best's withdrawal with an ankle injury on Wednesday. Experienced pair Shay Given and John O'Shea are also out through injury already.[LNB] Shame for Seamus: Everton's Coleman has been forced out of the Republic of Ireland squad[LNB]Meanwhile Trapattoni is sweating on the fitness of first choice central defender Sean St Ledger after he missed another key training session with a knee injury.[LNB]And Ciaran Clark, the man who injured the Preston North End centre-back in a training ground collision earlier this week, is on stand-by to replace St Ledger as Aston Villa team-mate Richard Dunne's defensive partner.[LNB]Clark and Darren O'Dea shared responsibilities in training at Malahide yesterday morning as a forlorn St Ledger looked on from the sidelines. The Preston centre-half, who has been an ever-present alongside Dunne for the Euro 2012 campaign and most of the Trapattoni reign, has a final chance to put himself back in contention today.[LNB]Decision time: Giovanni Trapattoni has been left light by some withdrawals[LNB]Coach Alan Kelly said: 'We are just being careful with him and taking every precaution. He has suffered an impact injury going boot-to-boot with Ciaran Clark.[LNB]'We will give him as much time as we can and see what happens on Friday. It's all you can do in these situations when people pick up knocks. We have got to see what happens when we put him through his paces. We will have a decision then.[LNB]'We're giving him as much time as possible, because 24 hours can make a big difference and we'll see what he's like after training.[LNB]'Obviously Ciaran has done very well for Aston Villa in a defensive role but we'll have to wait and see. Don't discount Sean St Ledger too soon.'[LNB]St Ledger's absence meant veteran Kevin Kilbane, looking to make his 65th consecutive appearance in a competitive match for Ireland, was back in the first-choice side which lined up for training in bright sunshine at Gannon Park. [LNB]Celtic defender O'Dea, who has been a near ever-present with Ipswich Town since Paul Jewell joined the club, was used most in the practice match with Dunne and the Dubliner is ready for his competitive call-up.[LNB]He said: 'Someone's bad fortune could be someone else's opportunity for this game. I have been in the squad for a while now and may be I could have a chance.[LNB]'I always said I wanted to get in the side on merit and not because someone else was injured but I'll do what it takes. If the call comes from the manager, I will take it because I feel fitter than I have in a long time.'[LNB]There was more encouraging news on Dunne and Damien Duff who both came through the Thursday session without any difficulties. [LNB] Sliding home: Ireland's Richard Dunne is expected to be fit for Saturday's clash[LNB]Both senior players have responded to treatment and rest this week and Kelly said they will definitely play tomorrow night.[LNB]The goalkeeping coach added: 'I was trying to drag Duffer off the pitch, so that shows you what he is all about. That is always a good thing to see. He's looking as fit as ever, he's done a full session today so that's a massive plus for us.[LNB]'Richard is grand. He's been here for two training sessions now and he seems fine. He even got involved in the shooting before we finished, so he must be feeling pretty healthy and happy.'[LNB]Coleman meanwhile was unlikely to start against Macedonia, despite a ringing endorsement from David Moyes for young player of the season.[LNB]Talent nurturing: Everton manager David Moyes[LNB]Like Wigan's James McCarthy, another fine young Irish protegee, Coleman was expected to be on the bench when Ireland look to get their Euro 2012 campaign back on track at home to Macedonia.[LNB]Over cautious former Italy coach Trapattoni will turn to Wolves' Kevin Foley to fill in at full-back for Manchester United defender O'Shea. Foley has played 30 games at right-back for former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy this season but has just three Irish caps.[LNB]Before his move to Goodison and his extraordinary first full season in the Barclays Premier League, Coleman admitted he had hardly received any proper coaching. This week Everton boss Moyes said the 22-year-old must be favourite for the PFA young player of the year.[LNB]Coleman said Moyes's words of praise had surprised him as he awaits his first competitive game for Ireland, but the Scot is always ready to keep him in check.[LNB]He added: 'I'm sure with every good thing he says he probably doesn't want me to get ahead of myself.[LNB]'But to hear that from your club manager is fantastic. He's a man I want to be impressing so hopefully I've done that this season. He's been brilliant and taught me a lot since I went there.'[LNB]Trapattoni will select Darron Gibson and Glenn Whelan in central midfield at the Aviva tomorrow, leaving Wigan ace McCarthy waiting for the competitive match which ends any chance of him switching allegiance to Scotland, the country of his birth.[LNB]But McCarthy added: 'I'm happy with my choice. If I feature on Saturday that's it put to bed, but as far as I'm concerned it is put to bed now and I was never going to change my mind. I'm here, I'm enjoying it and I'm an Ireland player.'[LNB] Aston Villa planning summer raid for wantaway Man City stopper Given Robbie's Keane to vent frustration on Macedonia with Repubic of IrelandWe don't want England rejects, blasts Republic of Ireland's Lawrence Ireland stalwart Kilbane keen to avoid more Macedonia misery[LNB] Explore more:People: Shay Given, David Moyes, Mick McCarthy, Kevin Kilbane, Leon Best, James McCarthy, John O'Shea, Damien Duff, Paul Jewell, Richard Dunne, Kevin Foley Places: Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Ireland, Macedonia
