DUFF FORCED OUT OF IRISH QUALIFIERS

Damien Duff - out of Irish games.

Damien Duff has been ruled out of the 22-man squad for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Montenegro.

While winger Duff has been forced to withdraw with a groin injury he picked up in Newcastle's 1-0 win over Bolton at the weekend.

Defender Paul McShane, however, has recovered from the knee problem that ruled him out of the recent friendly against Norway in Oslo.

Manager Giovanni Trapattoni bemoaned the loss of Duff for the two games which launch the Republic's World Cup qualification campaign on September 6 and 10, starting with Georgia in Mainz, Germany.

Trapattoni said: "It is a shame that we have lost Damien Duff for the two opening qualifiers. He started very well and he is a very important player in the Irish squad."

The Georgia match will be played at a neutral location due to the recent problems in the country.

Trapattoni added: "I am happy that FIFA and the Georgian Football Federation have made a decision to play the game against Georgia in a neutral venue.

"We understand that it was a difficult decision to make but feel it was the correct one given the need to prioritise the safety of players and fans."

FIFA confirmed on Thursday they had ordered the match to be played in Germany because of security fears.

A statement from the world governing body read: "After carefully assessing the situation, the bureau of the organising committee for the FIFA World Cup today decided that the preliminary competition match between Georgia and the Republic of Ireland will take place at a neutral venue due to the current unrest in Georgia.

"Although the Georgian Football Federation (GFF) had hoped to host this match at home in Tbilisi, it will now be played in Mainz, Germany on the originally-scheduled date of September 6, 2008 with Georgia acting as the host association.

"Last week, FIFA had asked the GFF to name an alternative venue for this match in order to be prepared should the situation in Georgia still require a neutral venue."

Republic of Ireland: Given, Kiely, Bruce, Delaney, Dunne, Finnan, Kelly, Kilbane, O'Brien, O'Shea, McShane, Hunt, McGeady, Miller, A Reid, S Reid, Whelan, Doyle, Keane, Keogh, Long, Murphy.