Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton admits Stephen Ireland is ‘not mentally ready to play for his country’ after his second withdrawal from the squad in as many games.
The Manchester City midfielder has opted out of the Republic's Euro 2008 qualifiers with Germany on Saturday and Cyprus four days later, saying he ‘would not do his country or himself justice’.
Ireland, 21, pulled out of the Republic's last qualifier against the Czech Republic in September citing the death of a grandmother but later admitted he had made it up as he wanted to be with his partner who had suffered a miscarriage.
Defeat to the Czechs effectively ended the Republic's qualification hopes but the City midfielder gained an instant recall to the squad with the Republic boss drawing a line under the matter.
But the troubled midfielder insists he is not in a fit state to play for his country, adding to Staunton's problems following the withdrawal of full-back Stephen Carr with a hamstring problem.
Staunton told Sky Sports News: ‘We know he has got problems. We have tried everything in our power to try and get around him but at this moment in time he is obviously not mentally ready or prepared to play for his country.’
