Trap's squad: Five things we have learned
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Trap not for turning: Like James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman before him, James McClean (below) will have to remain patient and wait his turn. Despite his incredible run of form in the Premier League, the Sunderland winger is now highly unlikely to be involved before Euro 2012.
LAWRENCE'S RUSSIAN NIGHTMARE
Liam Lawrence (below) was a mainstay of the Trapattoni regime until the 3-2 home defeat to Russia that cost him his place in the team and, ultimately, the squad. The Italian was unhappy with the Portsmouth winger's defending that night and it looks like he is relying on injuries for a call-up.
Five strikers or three?
Lawrence, Andy Keogh and McClean all missed out, partly because of the fact that Simon Cox and Jonathan Walters are being earmarked as cover for the wings. Nominally strikers, both frontmen have been deployed on the wing by their clubs and Trapattoni has been watching carefully.
The reserves may get a chance
Tournament football may bring out the tinkerman in Trapattoni, who said: "In this competition we will have a game every three or four days. The first and second games are 100pc, 100pc. The third game, we will need new energy, it will be a new situation and we wish to go further to the quarter-finals. Why not?"
Foley's a given
Despite starting just once in a competitive international, in the home game against Macedonia, Kevin Foley's return to the squad was never in doubt. The Wolves man (left) has always shown up when fit and, although an unused sub for most matches, covers an array of positions.
ruaidhri o'connor
Irish Independent
