Having endured a torrid period with injury, and five withdrawals from previous Irish squads, Anthony Pilkington has linked up with the Republic set-up and with Aiden McGeady out through injury, could even feature in Friday’s crunch tie with Sweden.
Richard Dunne has been omitted from the Irish squad for the friendly clash with Wales in Cardiff. The new QPR signing’s return could depend on how much game-time he sees at Loftus Road. Meanwhile, Robbie Keane has not been asked to fly in from the States, and there’s another chance for Anthony Pilkington. Stephen Quinn is rewarded for his impressive display against Spain and is named in the squad for the August 15 friendly.
Only Trap could introduce a new-look Irish squad but fail to get people excited. Marc Wilson, James McCarthy, James McClean, and Seamus Coleman are in but there has been no cull. Still, the Italian has hinted that change could be coming.
As the fall-out from Euro 2012 continues, the question on everybody’s lips is will Giovanni Trapattoni overhaul Ireland’s playing style? Will those who failed so miserably at Euro 2012 be jettisoned and new faces given the chance to lead us to World Cup 2014? Póg Mo Goal looks at ten young guns who can come into the fray and fire us to Brazil.