Duff blow for Republic

Giovanni Trapattoni expects Damien Duff to miss Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Russia and Slovakia.

The Fulham winger has a calf strain and Trapattoni believes he only has slim chance of being fit for the crucial qualifiers.

The former Newcastle and Chelsea man is now heading home for treatment and the Italian is not expecting to have him available.

Despite the loss of the talented winger, Trapattoni insists he has enough wingers at his disposal and will not be calling up a replacement.
Bad news

“The news is not very good today,” said Trapattoni. “Damien Duff has had a scan and there is a little injury.

“It is 90 per cent he is not available. A muscle injury is very dangerous. It is not easy to recover in eight days.

“He has pulled the muscle and there is a little blood showing on the scan, so we spoke to the doctor and he is going home.”

Asked if he would call up any replacements, Trapattoni replied: “No, we have enough wingers here.

“With Stephen Kelly missing, we are a defender short, so we have called up Marc Wilson.”

Acceptance

Meanwhile, Trapattoni insists he has no qualms with Preston winger Keith Treacy withdrawing from selection due to fatigue.

“(Preston) said he is injured. He can play, but he needs rest,” he continued. “They wanted to rest him so he could recover.

“Always after one hour, he is in pain in his groin and they think it is better he stays at home.

“After the last game, he played 60 minutes, he felt it and we hope with this rest, he gets better.

“In Italy, we have other habits. If a player is injured, our doctor speaks with their doctor, he comes in and then he goes home. In Italy, players always come.

“It’s not a problem of believe or not believe. I am not a doctor.”