No room for Ireland in Republic squad
Ireland has scored nine goals for Manchester City this season
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Monday, 19, Jan 2009 10:12
Manchester City's in-form midfielder Stephen Ireland has once again been omitted from the Republic of Ireland squad.
There had been rumours that Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni would recall the 22-year-old from his self-imposed international exile for next months World Cup qualifier against Georgia in Dublin, but he has once again been excluded.
The midfielder hasn't represented his country since facing Slovakia in a European Championship qualifier in September 2007.
There is also no room in Trapattoni's squad for Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid, and the Italian was keen to draw a line under the situation.
"Today, Andy Reid or Ireland, please, it's finished. We speak with them. To clarify, it's finished,' Trapattoni told a news conference.
"We are aiming to win. I hope the players will come back with the same spirit full determination like they had in November. I hope they haven't forgotten the work done until now.
"This will be the first match of a very important year ahead in our challenge to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
"Georgia are strong opposition but we believe in ourselves as a team and I look forward to our fans help to give us a home advantage throughout the 90 minutes."