Hodgson hopeful Duff will make France game
Monday November 02 2009
DAMIEN Duff has suffered a recurrence of the injury that ruled him out of the Republic of Ireland's 2-2 draw with Italy and now makes him a doubt for the World Cup play-off against France, writes Paul Hyland.
"It's an injury he has been struggling with for a while," said Fulham boss Roy Hodgson. "It stems from his achilles, although it's a little bit more complicated than that."
Hodgson ruled Duff out of Fulham's next Europa Cup assignment against Roma on Thursday but held out hope that he could yet be fit to face the French.
"There is no way I would even consider him for Roma. I will ask the medical staff to take as long as they need to try to get him back into shape as quickly as they can," he added.
"And if he's fit to play next Sunday, then there's no reason why he shouldn't play for the Republic."
