Source: Daily_Mail
Leon Best in Ireland squad to play Estonia
Newcastle striker Leon Best has been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euro 2012 play-off against Estonia amid a growing injury crisis. [LNB]The 25-year-old former Coventry frontman has been called up by manager Giovanni Trapattoni, with West Bromwich's Shane Long likely to miss out because of a knee injury. [LNB]Best has been in superb form for the Magpies, and his partnership with Demba Ba has been a key feature of the club's rise to third place in the Barclays Premier League table. [LNB] Your country needs you: Leon Best (left) is in the Republic of Ireland squad[LNB]A statement released by the Football Association of Ireland said: 'The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed that Newcastle striker Leon Best has been called up into Giovanni Trapattoni's squad to face Estonia in the Euro 2012 play-offs on November 11 in A le Coq Arena, Tallinn, and November 15 in Aviva Stadium, Dublin.'[LNB] Best was not included in the initial 26-man party announced by Trapattoni last week, with the fit-again Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Simon Cox and Jon Walters staffing the striking department. [LNB]However, West Brom's Long was named despite battling against a knee injury suffered during the 2-1 derby victory at Aston Villa on October 22, and the Baggies have admitted he is struggling to be fit. [LNB]Assistant manager Michael Appleton said: 'It is one of those injuries you really have to be cautious with. [LNB] Blow: Shane Long was injured in West Brom's game against Aston Villa[LNB]'Shane is doing everything the physios are asking him to do. He is working hard on the bikes, but has not done any impact stuff. [LNB]'I have seen players come back from injuries ahead of when they are expected to, but I would be very surprised if Shane is available for the Ireland game. [LNB]'He will have to make a massive recovery in the next week or so.'[LNB] There has been a clamour in Ireland for Best's inclusion anyway following his impressive start to the new campaign. [LNB]He scored three times in as many league starts at the beginning of the season and, while he has not added to his tally in his last five appearances, manager Alan Pardew has been delighted with his contribution alongside Senegal international Ba, whose hat-trick secured a 3-1 win at Stoke on Monday night.[LNB] Crunch time: Giovanni Trapattoni leads Ireland into the play-off against Estonia[LNB]However, when asked about the Newcastle player last month, Trapattoni said he was monitoring him but wanted to see him working harder for his team, something which mystified Pardew. [LNB]He will now get the chance to impress the Italian all over again as he bids to add to his seven senior international caps to date and put himself in contention for a trip to Poland and Ukraine next summer if Ireland can ease their way past the Estonians.[LNB] Fitness fight: John O'Shea[LNB]Trapattoni fielded his first-choice pairing of Keane and Doyle in Andorra last month, and turned to Long's Baggies team-mate Cox to partner the Wolves man against Armenia four days later with the skipper sidelined by an adductor muscle strain. [LNB]Best will meet up with the squad when it assembles in Dublin next week with a question mark also hanging over Sunderland defender John O'Shea. [LNB]The 30-year-old has been ruled out ofSunderland's league trip to former club Manchester United on Saturday with a recurrence of the hamstring injury which wrecked his pre-season, and manager Steve Bruce admits he is unlikely to be fit for the game in Tallinn. [LNB]Bruce said: 'He's certainly got no chance for Saturday, and looking at the first game for Ireland next Friday, I would have thought he's a huge doubt forthat as well, which is a shame for the lad. [LNB]'It'stypical of the luck he's had, unfortunately, since he's been here. Theyare probably the two biggest games he has been looking forward to. [LNB]'Hemight have a chance for the second one, but certainly I would have thought the first game would come a little bit too quickly for him.'[LNB] Long losing fitness fight for Ireland's Euro 2012 play-off clashes with EstoniaTeenagers arrested over racist abuse on Newcastle striker Ameobi's Twitter accountOut-of-favour Lovenkrands eyeing a move away from Newcastle in January Blackburn slap ?18m price-tag on Tottenham and Newcastle target Hoilett All the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion[LNB]
