Celtic have launched a loan bid to take Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson on loan for the rest of the season.
Tony Mowbray is keen to land the former Ireland under-21 international for the second half of the season.
The Hoops were also in for Arsenal defender Philipe Senderos but believe he is now out of their reach and have now turned their attentions to Pompey’s young Irish rising star Wilson.
Celtic wouldn’t have a chance of landing the County Antrim born 22-year-old under normal circumstances but they are hoping Portsmouth’s horrendous financial predicament will allow them to push the deal through.
Contact has already been made and the early indications are that the Premiership strugglers would prefer to sell rather than loan out their £2.5 million-rated star.
Wilson, who can play anywhere across the back or as a holding midfielder, is a regular in Avrum Grant’s team but would consider a move to the SPL as the financial uncertainty continues over his South Coast club.
The latest takeover has seen Portsmouth fail to pay their wages on time and they have also been banned from signing any players until they pay of all their outstanding debts.
Wilson, who has made 18 top-team appearances this season, has been as Portsmouth for four years after he quit Manchester United’s youth academy.
His impressive recent from for Pompey has brought him to the attention of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and Wilson may figure in Ireland's European Championship campaign, which starts later in the year.It’s a far cry from the early years when he started his football career with the under nines at Lurgan Town and went on to play for the under 10s and under 11s.
His displays in the Lisburn League caught the eye of a Manchester United scout and he travelled over with other youngsters for coaching.
Up until 15 he was with United but then was told he did not make the height needed although since then he has grown to six feet two inches.
Then a West Ham scout, who was a good friend of Harry Redknapp, recommended Marc to Harry who had taken over as manager of Portsmouth.
Despite attracting interest from other clubs such as Blackburn, Sunderland, Tottenham and Middlesboro Marc was impressed with the set-up at Portsmouth.
In July 2004 he signed for the club and it was on September 24, 2008 he made his Premiership debut against Chelsea.
An all round player who can play anywhere he was marked down as a central defender by the former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams during his time at Portsmouth.
Last season was plagued by injuries but now back to full fitness Marc has established a place for himself in the first team squad, making 24 appearances this season.
During his early years he was also an accomplished gaelic player with the St Mary’s club in Aghagallon and the school teams.
The French Football Federation (FFF) have struck a blow to hopes of Ireland fans after restricting the away side's allocation to 8000 for the second leg of the World Cup play-off in the Stade de France.
The French are running scared of a potential Irish invasion of Paris.In 2004 Ireland were backed by a 30,000 strong support as they held France to a 0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier in Paris.
Ireland were able to draw such a large contingent of fans into the stadium as match tickets were available online or by telephone and they were snapped up by the Green Army.
But it seems the French have learned their lesson and the tickets will only be available to buy in person.
Ireland host France at Croke Park in Dublin first before the return leg at the Stade de France four days later to decide which of the two teams qualifies for South Africa.
France coach Raymond Domenech, with bitter memories of 2004 when the huge Irish turned up and outsang their French hosts, demanded on Monday that Ireland be limited to a quarter of the total 80,000 available tickets for the Stade de France, namely 20,000.
'We can't have the Irish having more tickets than what they should be allowed, 20,000 - with 60,000 French fans around them,' Domenech told AFP.
The French Football Federation (FFF) proved even stingier on Wednesday when they allocated just 8,000 tickets to the Irish fans.
The FFF's decision was in accordance with their ticket allocation policy during the World Cup qualifiers, although it appears they have also taken Domenech's concerns to heart.
The FFF said no tickets would be sold over the internet to either set of fans, with tickets for the 18 November match going on sale from French retail outlets on Thursday.
The FFF said in a statement: 'The Irish supporters are taken care of directly by their federation, with 10 percent of the total ticket allocation being allocated as was done for all the other World Cup qualifiers.
'There will be no sale of tickets over the internet.'
A maximum of four tickets will be available per transaction and per person and tickets, once bought, would not be transferable.
French football officials added they would be cracking down on the re-sale of tickets at the stadium but also through the internet.
Leon Best has been dusting off his old World Cup videos as inspiration for Ireland’s final push for South Africa 2010.
The Coventry City striker’s heroes include, not surprisingly, the likes of Brazil’s Ronaldo whose majestic presence in previous competitions provided the stuff that boyhood dreams are made of.
But that dream is just two games away from becoming a reality for the Sky Blues’ centre-forward who was called up for his country for the first time in June and has been on a high ever since.
Seemingly a firm part of Irish boss Giovani Trapattoni’s plans for the future, Best is playing some of the best football of his young career at the moment, clearly having taken a huge injection of confidence from his international progress.
His most recent run-out came in a friendly against next summer’s competition host nation, South Africa, following up his first cap against Bulgaria.
“It was a great experience and a good win,” said the in-form front man who celebrated his 23rd birthday recently.
“I enjoyed it out there and it is always great to be involved with the squad. I hope to be involved in every single squad and game now. Definitely. I get such a buzz playing in the stadiums and in front of the Irish fans and with the likes of Robbie Keane and John O’Shea.
‘‘I could only dream about it before and now it is happening for me and I need to grasp every chance.
“I thought I gave a good account of myself against South Africa and I was just disappointed that I didn’t get a goal, which is always a good feeling when you go on as a sub against a good team.
‘‘The possession was all South Africa but they didn’t have a shot which goes to show how we did against them. And we can win games. I went on with Caleb Folan up front, which was easy because he is a great target man and that’s different for me because then I am not the one always flicking it. I have to spin off him which I enjoy because I get more chances.
‘‘Hopefully it will help my game because I am playing a different way, so if Coventry ever sign a Dion Dublin again I’ll be running off him rather than being the target man for a change.”
Looking ahead to next month’s crunch qualifiers, he said: “We have got a big game against Italy coming up in October, so hopefully I will be involved in that.
‘‘We have got two more and both are at home, so hopefully we can win those and get to South Africa. The other game is against Montenegro.
“It would be a great achievement getting to the World Cup because it’s the sort of thing you only ever dream of.
‘‘I have got videos at my house of past World Cups so to think that I could be involved in it would be a dream come true.
‘‘I used to watch people like Ronaldo and Romario for Brazil when I was younger so it would be amazing to go to the finals.”
For the time being, however, he wants to keep his form and fitness, and the goals coming for Coventry.
He had scored three in City’s first seven prior to yesterday’s trip to Preston – his best start to a season at the Ricoh Arena.
Enjoying his partnership with Clinton Morrison, who got his fourth of the season in Tuesday night’s gutsy 3-2 victory over Sheffield United, Best said: “We have got a good little competition going and the great thing is that we are both getting some goals at the moment.
“This is my best ever start because in previous years I have always ended up injured just before the season starts or early on in the campaign and that has set me back.
‘‘But I am feeling fit at the minute and just want to keep doing well for my club and see where that gets me with my country.”
Former Ireland boss Brian Kerr has again criticised Current Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni over his stewardship of the national side. Kerr said Trapattoni’s idea of watching players club games on DVD was a “load of baloney”. He added that for the Italian to attend ‘a dinner here and there’ displayed little regard for the well-being of Irish football in general.
Speaking to Brendan Crossan in today’s Irish News Kerr said “I don’t think Trapattoni does himself any favours by not going to watch players playing, I genuinely think the manager has a duty to be interested in the well-being of the overall game instead of going to the odd dinner here and there.”
He continued “I don’t think Trapattoni has any interest in the development of Irish football, but that’s up to him and he probably took the job on those terms. Maybe other people don’t share that view. He picks a team for a match and that’s it.”
On the issue of Liam Brady & Marco Tardelli covering most of the scouting needs in Britain and sending DVD’s of games to Trapattoni, Kerr said “ I think it’s a load of baloney because you can’t see the players properly in terms of what they do, or where they move to in a game. I don’t care what age you are or how much experience you have, you need to see the players by attending games.”
“Other people’s opinions are not the same as yours because you have in your own mind what you’re looking for. But look, they’re doing fine and I’d let them at it..”
And speaking about Ireland’s chances of reaching next years World Cup finals in South Africa Kerr commented “It looks now that they’ve a good chance of beating some of the other play-off teams, but you wouldn’t want to be playing France or Portugal”
“To some degree, Irish people will put up with anything as long as they get to the World Cup finals. The media are more critical…The reality is we have an exaggerated view of our players because they’re playing in English football and are on our television screens”
John O'Shea is out of Ireland's team to face South Africa in a friendly in Limerick this evening.
The defender has returned to Manchester United to have scans on a calf problem.
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni said the 28-year-old had been sent back to his club in an effort to prevent the damage from getting any worse.
O'Shea joins Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane, Kevin Kilbane and Stephen Hunt in the list of absentees for the match at Thomond Park in Limerick.
Manager Trapattoni had allowed Given, Dunne, Keane and Kilbane to return to their clubs.
Hunt misses the friendly at Thomond Park because of personal reasons.
Celtic defender Darren O'Dea, who is currently on loan at Reading, has been called up to the squad.
IT was, without doubt, the result of the week on the international stage and Caleb Folan is determined to use Ireland's draw in Italy as a springboard towards helping Hull City to safety.
The Tigers striker came off the bench midway through the first half on Wednesday night and capped an impressive display by playing a part in Robbie Keane's late equaliser.
In contrast to his exploits with Ireland, Folan's domestic season has been dogged by injury and loss of form with his only goal of the season having come in the opening-day win at home to Fulham.
However, after helping the Irish silence a partisan home crowd in Bari, the 26-year-old is now hoping to play a full part in keeping City in the Premier League.
He said: "Being away gave me the opportunity to play a bit. It also gave me the chance to experience a different kind of football at international level.
"You are up against players with different styles of play and that helps to prepare you for what is to come in the remainder of the season.
"Getting on to the pitch gave me that bit of a boost and a bit of confidence. Hopefully, I can bring that back here and perform in the same way.
"You get a lot of time to yourself when you are away and that gives you an opportunity to reflect. You often think about the games that are coming up for your club and we want to be a Premier League team next season.
"You have time to think about what you need to do and we know we have to start winning a few games."
Ireland defender Richard Dunne admitted to some "disappointment" after yesterday evenings draw at home to Bulgaria - but is still confident of progression from World Cup Qualifying Group Eight.
Ireland scored via Dunne after only 40 seconds at Croke Park but were pegged back by a Kevin Kilbane own goal in the second half.
It was an outcome which, along with Italy's 2-0 win at Montenegro, means Giovanni Trapattoni's team will head to his homeland this week three points adrift of their table-topping opponents.
Bulgaria remain a further seven points behind the Republic, and Dunne told Sky Sports 1: "They are a good side. They knew how bad a situation it would be for them if they lost - and they made it difficult for us.
"We started really well and really should have been pushing on."
The eventual draw left Dunne equivocal - but still believing Ireland can put Italy in the shade.
"I think for us, we had to keep the seven-point gap - minimum," he said.
"It is a disappointing result - we are disappointed not to get the points - but we are still in a good position.
"We've said all along we don't fear Italy, so we feel we can go there on Wednesday and get a result."
Damien Duff has been ruled out of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Italy with a hamstring injury.
Thursday evening's shock news was a big blow to Ireland boss Giovanni Trapatonni before the important group 8 games against Bulgaria and Italy.
There had been no suggestion of any problem with Duff's fitness and Aiden McGeady remains a fitness doubt because of a foot injury, but goalkeeper Shay Given will be fit.
Reading winger Stephen Hunt looks certain to replace Duff in the starting line-up.
McGeady took only a limited part in training on Thursday and faces a fitness test on Friday.
Wolves midfield Andy Keogh is in line to come into the team if McGeady is ruled out.
Duff picked up the injured in training on Wednesday and a scan on Thursday morning revealed that he is likely to be out for two weeks.
After a long injury-affected spell, Duff has returned to impressive form for in recent games.
The Newcastle winger's withdrawal was confirmed by Republic assistant Liam Brady on Thursday evening.
Duff returned to Newcastle after getting the results of the scan.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni is already minus injured defender Steve Finnan who misses out because of a hamstring injury.
Ireland take on Group Eight leaders Italy in Bari four days after the Bulgaria game.
The Italians are ahead of Trapattoni's team on goal difference with both teams locked on 10 points after four games.
The Football Association of Ireland are no longer having to consider making new travel arrangements for the Republic squad's trip to Bari.
Airports in Ireland had been expected to be affected by a nationwide strike on Monday - the day that the squad are scheduled to travel to Italy.
However, the strike threat has now been averted.
Dubliner Keith Andrews has set his sights on World Cup qualification and Barclays Premier League safety as his season draws to a dramatic conclusion.
The Ireland central midfielder will hope to play a part in Ireland's bid to reach South Africa 2010 when they play Group Eight rivals Bulgaria on Saturday before heading off for a showdown with leaders Italy in Bari four days later.
On his return, the 28-year-old will throw himself back into a very different fight as Blackburn bid to preserve their top-flight status over the remaining eight games of a tense Premiership campaign.
Andrews said: "We have got some vital games - the next two internationals - and then the season finishing with the last eight games in the Premier League, which will obviously determine what league we are going to be in.
"But I have got the utmost confidence at club level that we will be able to stay up, and hopefully we will be okay.
"It's brilliant. These are the games you want to be involved in, they are the exciting times that you train hard to be involved in and to get yourself to a level to be involved in these type of situations."
Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton says that Damien Duff is ready, willing and able to drive the Ireland side all the way to the World Cup finals in South Africa.
Duff has given Giovanni Trapattoni a boost ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier at home to Bulgaria, when he completed 90 minutes for Newcastle in their 3-1 defeat at home to Arsenal, Duff's first taste of action in a month.
The Dublin born player has started in the last three Ireland games under Trapattoni and will win his 73rd cap against Bulgaria at Croke Park before heading to Bari for that crucial game against Italy on April 1st.
And Duff's current club manager, former Ireland assistant boss Hughton, says that Duff's current form can lead Ireland to the World Cup for the first time since 2002.
"Damien is the player Ireland need if they are to get to the World Cup again, and if Damien stays fit for the rest of the campaign I can see him playing a big role for Ireland," Hughton said today.
"He's back to fitness now after being out for a few weeks, Newcastle missed him badly when he was out but he's come back at a good time for Ireland and he will be a key man in the next two matches.
"When you look at the Irish squad, you look to the ones who can make a difference, come up with one thing in a game that could change the course of a match and the campaign, and Damien is like that.
"Ireland are lucky in that they have some big occasion players like that, someone like Robbie Keane can get a goal from anywhere, Kevin Doyle has tremendous form, Aiden McGeady is always dangerous.
"But Damien is one who can create something out of nothing. When Ireland need him he's there and he's a vital player for the squad, he will be very important as the team look for those points against Bulgaria and Italy."
Giovanni Trapattoni assembled his squad in Dublin this morning before an afternoon training session at their Malahide training base and the Irish boss was relieved to see Duff report for duty, though there are some concerns over the fitness of Shay Given and Aiden McGeady.
"Both McGeady and Given are undergoing medicals at their clubs, but I'm sure they will be available for the next training," said Ireland's assistant coach Marco Tardelli.
"Given has a shoulder problem, but I'm sure he will be here for the Bulgaria game."
Meanwhile the FAI have prepared a contingency plan to deal with possible travel chaos on Monday due to a planned strike at Dublin airport.
The Irish squad are due to fly out to Bari at 4pm on Monday but they may need to change their plans if the strike goes ahead, and the panel may instead leave 24 hours early, from Belfast, or else fly out on Tuesday.
"We have at least two options available to us if Monday turns into a difficulty," said FAI CEO John Delaney.
"One would be going Tuesday from Dublin and one would be going Sunday, probably from Belfast. We're in constant contact with SIPTU and the DAA and they are keeping us advised."
Bulgaria only fly in to Dublin on Friday, 24 hours before the game, and the Italian squad will only arrive in Bari from their Tuscany base at 5pm next Tuesday, so Delaney says that coach Trapattoni is not worried about a late arrival.
His club may have just slipped into the relegation zone in England's Premier League, but Newcastle United's caretaker manager Chris Hughton believes that Damien Duff is coming into the kind of form which can drive the Republic of Ireland all the way to the World Cup finals.
Despite the result, a 3-1 defeat at home to Arsenal, Saturday was a big day for Duff as the 30-year-old managed his first full 90 minutes for United in almost two months, and he arrived in Dublin today for international duty ahead of the World Cup double header against Bulgaria and Italy high on confidence, according to Newcastle's stand-in manager.
"Damien is doing very well for us. The only disappointment is when he picks up an injury, which he has done on a couple of occasions this season.
"But his progress has been superb in the last while and he is back to his best, to the stage when he was one of the best players around, in my view," Hughton told the Evening Herald.
"Damien is the player Ireland need if they are to get to the World Cup again, and if Damien stays fit for the rest of the campaign I can see him playing a big role for Ireland.
"When you look at the squad, you look to the ones who can make a difference, come up with one thing in a game that could change the course of a match and the campaign, and Damien is like that. Ireland are lucky in that they have some big occasion players like that, someone like Robbie Keane can get a goal from anywhere, Kevin Doyle has tremendous form, Aiden McGeady is always dangerous.
"But Damien is one who can create something out of nothing. When Ireland need him he's there and he's a vital player for the squad," added Hughton, who worked with Duff in his time as assistant manager with Ireland under Brian Kerr from 2003-2005.
"He's a vital player for this club and for me. The thing that stands out with Damien is that he always wants to do well, he is so gutted when he is out injured and all he wants to do is play and win games for this football club.
"He has been out for the last few weeks but in all that time his attitude was exceptional, he was the ultimate professional, he worked hard all the time to try and get himself back. Every time he has been out it's been a big blow for him, and I think it makes him appreciate it even more when he does get back," added Hughton.
The former Tottenham full-back has some empathy with Giovanni Trapattoni and his coaching staff this week ahead of that massive double header in Dublin and Bari -- Hughton was part of the Irish staff the last time the Republic tried to qualify for a World Cup finals.
Results under Kerr and Hughton were impressive, with just four defeats in 33 games and only one loss in a competitive game, but Ireland still finished fourth in the qualifying group table, behind France, Switzerland and Israel.
"It's a tough group that Ireland have now but the team have had a good start and could get there under Mr Trapattoni. When the group was drawn up I always felt there was at least a chance for second place for Ireland, Italy were going to be favourites to win the group, but Ireland will really challenge them, especially over the next two games," said Hughton
"The team has excelled, especially as the manager hasn't had his full pick of players in some games, key people like Steve Finnan have been missing, so when you take that into account I think Trapattoni has done very well."
Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli has played down injury concerns surrounding Shay Given and Aiden McGeady.
The Manchester City keeper and Celtic winger received treatment at their clubs on Monday ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.
"I'm sure they will be available for the next training," said Tardelli.
Given has a shoulder problem while McGeady picked up a knock in Celtic's game against Dundee United on Sunday.
However, both players are expected to link up with the Republic squad on Tuesday.
Full-back Steve Finnan pulled out of the Irish squad last week because of a hamstring injury.
Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov will miss Saturday's World Cup qualifier because of an ankle injury.
The Manchester United forward sustained the injury during the 2-0 defeat by Fulham in the Premier League.
Ireland take on Group Eight leaders Italy in Bari four days after the Bulgaria game.
The Italians edge out Giovanni Trapattoni's team by goal difference with both teams locked on 10 points after four games.
The Football Association of Ireland are having to consider making new travel arrangements for the Republic squad's trip to Bari.
Airports in Ireland are expected to be affected by a nationwide strike on Monday - the day that the squad are scheduled to travel to Italy.
The possibility of travelling on Sunday or delaying the departure to Tuesday is being examined.
Bayern Munich could be set to make a move for Aiden McGeady following a fact-finding mission on the Celtic winger.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni claims he was asked to give his assessment of McGeady by the German outfit.
The Italian met Bayern representatives at Chelsea's 1-0 win over Manchester City last week, where the discussion took place.
Trapattoni told the Scottish Daily Mail: "They asked me what I think about McGeady because they have followed him.
"They wanted to know my opinion and I said McGeady is one of our most important players."
Ireland striker Kevin Doyle is firmly backing his countrymen to achieve rugby success this weekend, and as a result pile the pressure on the country’s football side.
The Ireland rugby team go in search of an RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam when they take on Wales in Cardiff tomorrow, an outcome Doyle sees them winning and one he hopes can inspire the country’s footballers to their own successes in World Cup qualifying Group Eight over the next two weeks.
Doyle and his team-mates face a stiff double-header at home to Bulgaria and away to Italy in just over a weeks’ time and the Reading forward hopes that any success that the rugby men get can be passed on to their fellow players in green.
Contemplating a Grand Slam, Doyle said: “It really does inspire the country, puts everybody in a good mood and gives everyone a reason to be happy and celebrate.
“If we can win The Grand Slam then hopefully our lads can go on and finish the year on a high.
“It puts the pressure on us because lots of Irish people have been successful over the past year and if the rugby lads go and do it, that will really show us the way and give us some inspiration.
“I think the rugby boys will do it – it’s going to be close. I’m good mates with Gordon D’Arcy and bump into him now and then. He’s done really well and I saw his try in his first game back, so I’ll send him a good luck message.”
As for the task facing Ireland’s most recent Player of the Year Doyle and his footballing cohorts, the promotion-chasing goal-getter added: “If we can go into the Bulgaria game confident and get a good result, it will spur us on and set up the group nicely.
“But it won’t be easy. Bulgaria have been more successful than us over the past 10 years and they’ve got some very good players. It will be our hardest game so far and I would imagine a good test.”
Stoke City’s Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan is backing his international team-mate Stephen Kelly to make an impact at the Britannia Stadium.
Kelly joined City on loan from Birmingham at the end of January, but hasn’t played since making his debut in the 2-0 defeat at Sunderland on February 7.
Both Kelly and club captain Andy Griffin have been kept out of the side by the impressive form of Andy Wilkinson at right-back.
But Whelan, who has known Kelly since their days playing youth football in Dublin, says the former Tottenham defender will let no one down if called upon.
He added: “I am sure once he is given the chance, Stoke fans will see what he can do.
“He’s a very good defender, but probably more of an attacking right-back. I am sure he will do very well.”
Whelan is hoping to take a huge step closer to Premier League survival, and the World Cup finals, over the next 17 days after he and Kelly were picked in the Republic of Ireland squad for the games at home to Bulgaria on March 28 and away to Italy on April 1.
Those games are sandwiched by Stoke’s home game with second-bottom Middlesbrough at the Britannia on Saturday and their trip to basement club West Brom on April 4.
Whelan intends to head to Ireland with Stoke out of the bottom three... and believes
City have an advantage over Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough.
He said: “They have been in the Premier League for a long time and maybe nobody expected them to be down there at the start of the season.
“They are under a lot more pressure than us because everyone expected us to go straight back down.
“But it will be a tough game. They will be fighting for their lives, and so will we.”
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni picked Whelan when the midfielder couldn’t get into the Stoke side in the first half of the season.
Whelan believes that helped him win his place back at Stoke, but doesn’t believe he could stay in the Ireland side in the long term unless he was also playing well for his club.
He said: “He (Trapattoni) has seen something in me and hopefully I have been putting performances in.
“The more games you play, the better you feel in terms of confidence and also match fitness. That helped me because, at the start of the season, I wasn’t playing as many games as I would have liked to at Stoke.
“But if I am not playing well for Stoke then I don’t think I have a chance with Ireland.”
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has praised the performance's of John O'Shea during this season's campaign.
The Waterford born Ireland international has played in numerous roles for United this season which has earned him an almost regular start in the team over the course of the season so far.
"I feel blessed that we have players like John O'Shea, who has stepped in to play out of his skin," Fergie has said.
"John has thrived on playing regularly and I'm sure that if I asked him to play at centre-forward he would get us a goal.
"It's great to have such adaptable players and it's one of our strengths as we enter the last lap of the title race.
"The attitude of the players has been marvellous, especially when it comes to the business of being left out - there have been no dummies flying out of the pram.
"I hate telling a player that, although he has perhaps just delivered a top-class performance, I will not be using him in the next match.
"It's not nice, but it helps that the players understand."
Giovanni Trapattoni has named 26 players in an initial squad for the forthcoming World Cup Group 8 qualifiers, of which 23 will be selected for the matches against Bulgaria on 28 March and Italy on 1 April.
The only addition to the party announced for last month's 2-1 win over Georgia is uncapped Celtic defender Darren O'Dea, who scored for his club in their CIS League Cup final victory over arch-rivals Rangers yesterday.
Speaking after he announced the squad, the Italian coach told reporters: 'So far in this group, Bulgaria have drawn all of their three World Cup qualifying matches. I have no doubt they will be invigorated by the appointment of their new manager, Stanimir Stoilov, and they will come to Croke Park looking for a win to kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign.'
'Bulgaria have a strong tradition of football in their country with many well known players in their squad so we are under no illusion as to the task that awaits us on 28 March. This game represents a real opportunity to open a significant gap at the top of the table in Group 8.
For the next six months we will be playing away so strong support in this last home game until October will be vital. Every point gained will be valuable in the race to qualify for South Africa.'
Goalkeepers:
Shay Given, Dean Kiely, Kieren Westwood
Defenders:
Alex Bruce, Damien Delaney, John O'Shea, Kevin Foley, Paul McShane, Richard Dunne, Stephen Kelly, Stephen Finnan, Kevin Kilbane & Darren O'Dea.
Midfielders:
Aiden McGeady, Damien Duff, Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Liam Miller, Stephen Hunt & Andy Keogh.
Forwards:
Caleb Folan, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Shane Long & Noel Hunt.
West Ham's young Irish striker Terry Dixon is close to making a full recovery from injury and is pushing for a first-team place.
The Ireland under 21 international striker has had a horrendous string of injuries which looked as though they were going to bring a premature halt to his career after Spurs allowed him to leave White Hart Lane after a string of knee problems.
West Ham took a gamble and after a trial period he was offered a three-year deal last month and now Gianfranco Zola is keen to see what he can do.
"Everybody keeps talking about Terry Dixon but I have not seen him play yet," Zola told the East London Press. "Hopefully soon he will be training with me so I will try to have an idea about him as a footballer.
"They told me he was quite a talent and I'm really curious. This is a good opportunity for him. I think this club has been very good to him and I want to see how he takes the opportunity.
"A big satisfaction would be to see him have some success because he was ruled out from the game."
