Given and Dunne set to be left out of Ireland squad - report

20 Jul 2012 11:00:00

Speculation is mounting over Giovanni Trapattoni's first post-Euro 2012 squad announcement, with senior players Shay Given and Richard Dunne expected to be left out

Just one month after Ireland’s ill-fated Euro 2012 campaign, manager Giovanni Trapattoni will today announce a 23-man squad to take on Serbia in Belgrade on August 15; Ireland's only friendly fixture before the 2014 World Cup qualifiers start in September.

There is strong speculation that a number of senior players will be omitted from the Italian’s panel which will be announced this Friday afternoon at 13.00 BST in Donegal. According to reports, Aston Villa duo Richard Dunne and Shay Given were told yesterday of their omission, while Robbie Keane and Damien Duff are also set to be left out.

Following the disastrous tournament in Poland-Ukraine, there were strong rumours that Duff in particular would hang up his international boots. However none of the four concerned made a public announcement with Richard Dunne in particular believed to be still keen to pull on a green jersey.

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