Giovanni Trapattoni remains confident that talented midfielder Stephen Ireland will answer his country's call once again.
The 21-year-old Manchester City midfielder has not played for the Republic of
Ireland since September last year after withdrawing from the squad to face the
Czech Republic in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
Ireland initially cited the death of first his maternal grandmother and then
his paternal grandmother, although it later emerged that his girlfriend Jessica
had suffered a miscarriage.
New manager Trapattoni met the player, along with Liverpool defender Steve
Finnan and Bolton's Andy O'Brien, last week in an effort to persuade all three
to return to the fold.
The Italian named a 28-man squad for the forthcoming training camp in Portugal
and the friendlies against Serbia and Colombia which follow it yesterday, and
the trio were not included.
However, he has not given up hope and is confident that Ireland in particular
will represent his country in future.
Trapattoni said: 'The moment I left him, I told him, 'I will wait for you',
and he said to me, 'okay'.
'I understood Stephen. I understand he is young. I have children, I have a
son and I understand him.
'I am confident, I trust he will come back. I spoke with him and normally
when I speak with a player, I look the player in the eyes. The eyes never lie.
'I have trust he will come back.'
But if he is still awaiting news of Ireland, Finnan and O'Brien, Trapattoni
has managed to persuade 37-year-old West Brom goalkeeper Dean Kiely to end his
retirement from international football after helping his club back into the
Premier League.
Kiely, who has eight senior caps, announced his retirement in 2003 but, in the
absence of the injured Shay Given, he has been included alongside Colin Doyle
and Joe Murphy.
Trapattoni said: 'Kiely has been out for a long time but he is a good
goalkeeper. It is very important that he has come back.'
While the bulk of the squad will head for the Algarve resort of Estrela da Luz
at the weekend, five will remain behind and join up in Dublin on their return,
while two more will meet up as soon as their club commitments are over.
Manchester United utility man John O'Shea, Tottenham striker Robbie Keane,
Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne and Celtic pair Aiden McGeady and Darren
O'Dea have been excused the trip to Portugal because of club or personal
commitments.
In addition, Cardiff's Stephen MacPhail will be on duty in the FA Cup final
this Saturday, while Crystal Palace midfielder Sean Scannell is involved in the
Championship play-offs.
The squad includes seven previously uncapped players - O'Dea, Scannell, Damien
Delaney, Kevin Foley, Owen Garvan, Wesley Hoolahan and Glenn Whelan - but Given
is joined on the injured list by Lee Carsley, Kevin Kilbane, Steven Reid, Darron
Gibson and Joey O'Brien.
