Doyle out of vital Republic of Ireland game
After the 3-2 home loss to Russia on Friday night, there's a danger that this could be looked back on as the week in which Republic of Ireland's bid to qualify for Euro 2012 fell apart and they've suffered another blow ahead of Tuesday's trip to Slovakia, with Kevin Doyle ruled out due to a knee injury.
Shane Long will expect to replace his former Reading team-mate after coming off the bench and scoring at the Aviva Stadium the other day, although Giovanni Trapattoni's alternative options are to start Andy Keogh or play Aiden McGeady just behind Robbie Keane and bring in another winger.
The Royals striker's finest game yet for his country came away to potentially tricky opposition, when he netted twice in Republic of Ireland's 4-0 friendly win in Denmark in 2007, and he'll be fairly confident of adding to his tally against a Slovakia side who leaked three away to Armenia.
The Boys in Green last visited the World Cup attendees in September 2007 under Steve Staunton and held them to a 2-2 draw, and they're priced at [3.4] to get their campaign back on track with victory in Zilina, while it's [2.44] that they will suffer a defeat that could destroy their chances.
Published: 11 Oct 2010
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