World Cup qualification - Lawrence handed start

Eurosport - Fri, 09 Oct 15:22:00 2009

Liam Lawrence will be handed a World Cup debut against reigning champions Italy as the Republic of Ireland attempt to keep their South African dream alive.

2009 Republic of Ireland Liam Lawrence (Reuters) - 0

Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni named his starting XI a day before the Group 8 qualifier at Croke Park.

Stoke midfielder Lawrence has been drafted in on the right side of midfield in the absence of Damien Duff, who was ruled out with a calf injury.

Lawrence, who scored when winning his second senior cap against South Africa last month, will be joined in the team by defenders Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger after both shook off the injuries which have hampered them during training this week.

Celtic winger Aiden McGeady will occupy the other flank while Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan occupying the central berths with Darron Gibson (ankle) and Steven Reid(Achilles) both missing.

Kevin Doyle partners skipper Robbie Keane up front while Shay Given and Kevin Kilbane win their 99thinternational caps.

Follow live text commentary on the match at Croke Park at 20:00 UK time on eurosport.yahoo.com!

Eurosport / PA Sport

Comment 1 - 6 of 6

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  1. Stephen Reid is injured, Andy Reid is not and should be­ in the team if it was picked for talent, but its not,­ its picked to stop other teams from playing. Ye its­ @#$% to watch but its getting results, better than the­ last few muppet managers!

    From eamo22, on Sat 10 Oct 1:31AM

  2. alan D comment 4 , nobody can make stephen ireland cop­ on and i think he is a disgrace and i wouldnt let him­ near the team if he said he wanted to come back , it­ should be an honour to play for your country and he­ clearly doesnt care ,how would you feel if you played­ in all the qualifiers to get to the world cup and then­ lost your place cos he said oh we are in the world cup­ i think i wanna play now. and i agree that trap is­ wrong for not picking andy reid the guy has lost 2­ stone and is playing great but trap only wants players­ who keep the ball which is terrible to watch but we­ cant really argue with the results cos we are a limited­ team and we are unbeaten so far in the group

    From batman, on Fri 9 Oct 11:43PM

  3. read the article properly black ranger, andy reid is­ injured(achillies) but i hope you win ireland, i would­ love to see you at the world cup again

    From paul, on Fri 9 Oct 11:42PM

  4. Will somone make stephen ireland cop on He should play­ even for his poor da's sake imagine sitting in a­ pub in Cork with people looking at you saying behind­ your back your son a turn coat ! and we deffo need Andy­ in midfield shocking that he isnt playing ! Ireland­ team to play Italy should be Given Finnan (he is fit)­ Dunne St Ledger O Shea Hunt Ireland Reid McGeady Keane­ Doyle

    Duff and Stephen Reid to come back in, Delap­ Carsley Morrison Carr Nolan should be in the squads !­ Trap might be getting results but its so so boring and­ he is over looking players and not going for players­ who can play for Ireland ! 2 mill a year and he isnt­ going to matches in the UK ? and where is the usaul­ influx of granny rulers

    From Alan D, on Fri 9 Oct 11:17PM

  5. we need andy reid, not darren gibson or glen whelan, we­ cant blame the players if they dont get to the world­ cup, only the manager, robbie keane and kevin doyle­ need good players to pass them the quality for them to­ score the goals that we need!!!

    From David, on Fri 9 Oct 11:09PM

  6. seriously!?
    what the hell does he have something­ against andy reid?
    hes on flying form at the­ moment!
    just call him up

    From theblackranger, on Fri 9 Oct 10:57PM
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