Republic of Ireland put Richard Dunne on standby

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 26 September 2012

Giovanni Trapattoni includes injured Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne on his standby list for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers next month.

Giovanni Trapattoni has named sidelined Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne on his standby list for the World Cup qualifiers against Germany and the Faroe Islands next month.

The 33-year-old has yet to feature for his club this campaign due to a groin injury picked up in pre-season.

Dunne has stepped up his recovery in training this week, but Trapattoni is unwilling to gamble on the centre-back's fitness after liaising with the Villa medical team.

Youngster Robbie Brady is also on the standby list despite impressing on his debut against Oman, while Sunderland midfielder David Meyler, who also won his first cap in that match, drops out of the squad completely.

The Republic won their opening qualifier against Kazakhstan thanks to late goals from Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle.

Full ROI squad: Westwood, Forde, Randolph, Ward, Kelly, Wilson, O'Shea, St Ledger, McShane, O'Dea, Coleman, McGeady, Fahey, Whelan, McCarthy, Andrews, Keogh, McClean, Cox, Keane, Long, Doyle, Walters.