Trap gives Paul Green light to make better impression

Aidan Fitzmaurice

IRELAND boss Giovanni Trapattoni has given Derby County man Paul Green another chance to impress in the green shirt as the new recruit will start in midfield in tonight's training game against Ireland's junior international XI.

Trapattoni has made three changes to the side which started Tuesday's training game, a 1-0 win over the Irish U23 side, as Joe Murphy, Liam Lawrence and Kevin Foley come in for Keiren Westwood, Anthony Stokes and Keith Fahey.

Subs Fahey, Stokes, Brian Murphy and Eddie Nolan will all get a chance to play at some stage in the 5.30 fixture, played behind closed doors in Malahide, but for Green, a place in the starting XI for the second time in a week is a vote of confidence from Trapattoni, especially as the Derby man put in a sub-par display on Tuesday.

The Ireland panel will be brought up to full strength over the weekend in preparation for next week's friendly games against Paraguay and Algeria as nine players will link up with their team-mates.

Stephen Kelly, John O'Shea, Sean St Ledger, Damien Duff, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle, who were all excused from last this week's training camp in Dublin, join the squad on Sunday along with Keith Treacy, the uncapped Preston player who has regained fitness.

Everton teenager Shane Duffy will remain with the squad next week but the Derry native is unable to play in the games at the RDS due to the ongoing dispute with the IFA in Belfast over his eligibility.

IRELAND XI: Joe Murphy; Paul McShane (cap), Shane Duffy, Darren O'Dea, Greg Cunningham; Liam Lawrence, Kevin Foley, Paul Green, Shane Long; Leon Best Cillian Sheridan.