Trapattoni sweating on Duff fitness
Wednesday November 04 2009
DAMIEN Duff has no more than an even money chance of reporting fit for Fulham against Wigan on Sunday, placing a major doubt over his involvement in the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off against France, writes Paul Hyland.
Giovanni Trapattoni will gather his players in Dublin next Tuesday and if Duff doesn't play some part in the Fulham game, it is highly unlikely he will be released by Roy Hodgson for the Croke Park leg, although an appearance in Paris when he will be needed most cannot be ruled out.
Trapattoni's opposite number, Raymond Domenech, also has injury concerns. Patrice Evra's international understudy, Gail Clichy, has been sidelined by what looks like a stress fracture in his back.
"We fear a stress fracture of the back," said Arsene Wenger. "We will know more on Thursday but if that's the case, he'll be out for a few weeks."
