HUNT OUT FOR REPUBLIC

Hunt - misses out on Thursday night.

Reading winger Stephen Hunt is out of the Republic of Ireland's clash with Colombia on Thursday night.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been released from the squad after aggravating a hamstring injury that will now require two weeks' rest.

Hunt sat out both training sessions at Malahide on Monday and was sent home when it became clear he had no chance of being fit for the game at Fulham's Craven Cottage.

He had started Saturday night's 1-1 draw with Serbia at Croke Park on the left side of midfield.

Celtic's Aiden McGeady trained on Monday after resting a knee problem following his arrival in Dublin.

Manager Giovanni Trapattoni said: "I saw McGeady in training for the first time and he did really well. Maybe he will not start, but he will play at some stage, as will [John] O'Shea."

Defender Richard Dunne also sat out training with bruising to his left foot, but Trapattoni believes he has a 90 per cent chance of being fit for the Colombia game.

The uncapped Darren O'Dea, like McGeady, has now joined up with the squad after Celtic's league title triumph on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, Ireland coach Liam Brady will be in Estonia on Tuesday night to cast an eye over his country's first World Cup qualifying opponents, Georgia.