By Ade O`Connor
May 13 2003

Ireland boss Brian Kerr has named a training squad to assemble in Dublin next week, before the two crucial qualifying games against Albania on June 7th and Georgia on June 11th. Kerr has been forced to overlook a trio of players, who are unavailable for selection due to injury or club commitments. Gary Kelly of Leeds United has asked to not be considered for the meet up, as the full back accumulated a number of injuries. Kelly, uncle to Ian Harte, has a shin splints injury and wishes to use the time in the summer to allow recovery.

This news may be a blow to the international career of Gary Kelly, as he has recently missed a number of qualifying games due to injury. Though coming into favour during the World Cup in Korea and Japan, being seen as a good on field and off field leader.

Meanwhile, Nick Colgan of Hibernian and Colin Healy of Celtic will be both unavailable for the training sessions, due to club football commitments in Scotland. Both, however, are confident of making the two important qualifying games.

Steven Reid, the talented Millwall midfielder also finds a place back in the squad, after missing the friendly against Norway with injury. Richard Dunne maintains his role in the squad, following a commanding display in the friendly.

It is vital that Ireland take all six points from the fixtures in June, as the group is now precariously balanced with the Republic just four points behind leaders Switzerland, despite the two losses.

Impressive displays against Albania and Georgia will set up Ireland for the final games against Russia at Lansdowne Road, and Switzerland in Berne.

The Republic of Ireland squad to assemble in Dublin next week:

Goalkeepers:

Given (Newcastle United)
Murphy (West Bromwich Albion)

Defenders:

Carr (Tottenham Hotspur)
Breen (West Ham United)
Dunne (Manchester City)
Harte (Leeds United)
O'Shea (Manchester United)
Finnan (Fulham)
Cunningham (Birmingham City)
O'Brien (Newcastle United)

Midfielders:

Carsley (Everton)
Holland (Ipswich Town)
Kinsella (Aston Villa)
Kilbane (Sunderland)
McPhail (Leeds United)
Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday)
Reid (Millwall)
Duff (Blackburn Rovers)

Strikers:

Connolly (Wimbledon)
Lee (Rotherham)
Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Crowe (Bohemians)
Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)