Still no Gibson as Trap names extended squad for summer internationals

Giovanni Trapattoni has named a 28-man squad for the four upcoming internationals with uncapped Anthony Pilkington hoping to make his long-awaited international bow.

By Declan Whooley

Trap named his squad for the fixtures with England (May 29, Wembley), Georgia (June 2, Dublin), Faroe Islands (June 7, Dublin) and Spain (June 11, New York) from Carrick-on-Shannon today and while recently promoted Hull trio of Robbie Brady, Paul McShane and David Meyler were included, Richard Dunne and Kevin Doyle miss out, while there was again no place for Everton’s Darron Gibson.

Dunne has been plaugued all season at Villa and has not been deemed fit enough for a return while injury also rules Ciaran Clark and Kevin Doyle out of the fixtures. Hull player Stephen Quinn and West Ham's Joey O'Brien can count themselves unlucky after figuring strongly for their respective clubs, while Damian Delaney has done enough to warrant an international recall.

The encounter with the Faroes is the only competitive fixture, though the glamour ties with England and Spain will spark more interest than normal in summer friendlies.

While Trap will hope to boost our goal difference against the Faroes, he will be without the suspended duo of FA Cup winner James McCarthy and West Brom striker Shane Long.

Trap has been linked to the Napoli job after quotes in the Italian media saying he “would never say never” was at Carrow Road yesterday keeping tabs on Canaries duo Pilkington and Wes Hoolahan and also Shane Long and has said the squad will be whittled down next week.

The provisional squad of 28 to face England, Georgia, Faroe Islands and Spain:

Forde, Westwood, Randolph, O’Shea, St Ledger, Delaney, Richard Keogh, Wilson, Coleman, Kelly, O’Dea, McShane, Whelan, McCarthy, Green, Hendrick, McGeady, Pilkington, McClean, Brady, Meyler, Andy Keogh, Keane, Long, Sammon, Walters, Cox and Hoolahan.