Fit-again Gary Doherty has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for Wednesday's friendly international against the USA at Lansdowne Road. The 22-year-old Tottenham player has been called into the squad as a replacement for Sunderland striker Niall Quinn, who has pulled out with a neck injury.
Doherty came off the bench on Saturday for the last seven minutes of Tottenham's 1-1 draw with West Ham at White Hart Lane for his first senior appearance since breaking an ankle in September. Doherty was involved in the early part of the Republic's World Cup qualifying campaign and manager Mick McCarthy may be tempted to name him in his final party of 23, especially as he can play as both a striker or defender.
"Gary was in the fold early on and it's not nice to get an injury at any stage, but particularly when you are involved in a World Cup campaign and there is an opportunity there, so to have it dashed by injury is not very nice," McCarthy said. "It will be difficult for him after his injury but he is part of my squad now, and whether he goes to Japan will be up for debate later on."
McCarthy has been impressed by Doherty's versatility. "Sometimes it's a bonus when you can play in more than one position because it doubles your chances of getting a game. But it can also be detrimental because sometimes you need to master just one position."
McCarthy has been boosted by the recovery from injury of four players who all turned up fit for training. There had been doubts over Richard Dunne, Steve Staunton, Clinton Morrison and Kevin Kilbane.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
