It’s all gone quiet on the news front with players still away on international duty. There is some injury news coming out of the camps however. England apparently have a couple of minor knocks who remain nameless. Meanwhile there is some more definitive news from the Republic of Ireland and Welsh training grounds.
Both Shay Given and Stephen Ireland look likely to recover from injury and turn out for the Republic against Slovakia. Given didn’t train today after having stitches in his knee injury, but has been past fit. Ireland meanwhile, did train and providing there is no reaction tomorrow, will also take his place in the side having scored 3 goals in his last 4 international appearances [source]. Ironcially, they will both be on the opposite sides on Saturday when City travel to Newcastle. Both now look likely to play in that match.
It’s not such good news for Wales and Craig Bellamy. It was Bellamy who clashed with Given in Saturday’s game with the Republic and Bellamy appears to have come out worse from the clash. He is still doubtful for the San Marino game on Wednesday [source] and could therefore be a doubt for Liverpool’s game against Arsenal this weekend. With Peter Crouch an option for Rafa after his recovery from surgery on his broken nose, Bellamy could well miss out this weekend.