FAI closer to appointment
Tuesday, 5 February 2008 12:53The Football Association of Ireland hopes to rubber-stamp a new manager in the aftermath of Wednesday's fixture against Brazil - with Italian veteran Giovanni Trapattoni favourite for the post.
Reports last night also suggested former Derby County and Preston North End manager Billy Davies was due to have talks with the FAI, while Terry Venables has been linked with the post for a long time.
Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland caretaker manager Don Givens has called up Ipswich's Alex Bruce after Bolton Wanderers defender Andy O'Brien's decision to quit international football.
O'Brien, 28, was named in the original squad for the Brazil match at Croke Park but did not turn up for training yesterday.
Givens, chairman of the selection process to find a successor to Steve Staunton as manager, has yet to be notified of O'Brien's decision personally.
'I haven't been able to make any contact with Andy O'Brien, so I've called in Alex Bruce,' confirmed Givens.
Blackburn Rovers' Steven Reid is an injury doubt after missing training sessions with a knee problem.
But Tottenham Hotspurs striker Robbie Keane came through the work-out after an earlier ankle niggle.
'Steven Reid sat out the session because he has an injury problem, which is a bit more than we thought,' Givens told the official FAI website.
'Robbie's injury has cleared up and he'll be fine.'
