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Page last updated at 15:33 GMT, Friday, 13 November 2009

Trapattoni mulls over Irish team

World Cup play-off: Republic of Ireland v France
First leg: Croke Park, Dublin Date: Saturday, 14 November (2000 GMT)
Second leg: Stade de France, Paris Date: Wed, 18 November (2000 GMT)
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and online, plus text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles. Also live on Sky Sports 1.


Liam Lawrence
Liam Lawrence will hope that he gets the nod over Aiden McGeady

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has delayed finalising his team for Saturday's World Cup play-off first leg against France at Croke Park.

Trapattoni has named 10 of his starting line-up but has yet to decide whether Liam Lawrence or Aiden McGeady will fill the second midfield flank role.

Damien Duff is named in the team after overcoming an Achilles injury.

Jeremy Toulanan appears to be a major injury doubt for France who are already without Franck Ribery and Gael Clichy.

Lawrence was preferred to Stephen Hunt for last month's game against Italy.

The Republic's training formation on Thursday suggested that the Stoke player would start again on Saturday ahead of McGeady.

However, Trapattoni said on Friday afternoon that he had yet to make up his mind on the issue.

For the French, Toulalan has a groin injury and his club coach Claude Puel has said that the player would not have been risked if Lyon had been in action this weekend.

The Lyon player resumed light training on Friday after missing Thursday's session but a French Federation statement indicated that he remained doubtful for Saturday's game.

Andre-Pierre Gignac took a full part in training after picking up a knock on Thursday while Lassana Diarra is also fit after his late arrival from Real Madrid.

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Striker Gignac has been playing up front alongside Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry in the bulk of France's recent fixtures.

He is expected to start again at Croke Park with Karim Benzema having to be content with a place in the substitutes.

Like the Republic, the French side has had a settled look in recent games.

Hugo Lloris is again expected to start in goal with Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Eric Abidal and Patrice Evra operating in defence.

If fit, Toulanan is expected to be joined by Diarra and Yoann Gourcuff in midfield.

Trapattoni's Irish line-up largely picked itself with the only apparent selection issue over whether Lawrence, McGeady or Hunt were handed one of the midfield flank roles.

Lawrence appears to be the man in possession of the shirt with his willingness to track back when the Republic are not in possession also impressing Trapattoni.

Sean St Ledger and Richard Dunne are now an established central defensive partnership for Trapattoni with John O'Shea operating at right-back and Kevin Kilbane on the other defensive flank.

Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews start in central midfield with Duff on one of the flanks and Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle up front.


Republic of Ireland team: Given, O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Kilbane, Duff, Andrews, Whelan, Lawrence or McGeady, Keane, Doyle.

France squad: Carrasso (Bordeaux), Lloris (Lyon), Mandanda (Marseille), Abidal (Barcelona), Cissokho (Lyon), Escude (Sevilla), Evra (Manchester United), Fanni (Rennes), Gallas (Arsenal), Sagna (Arsenal), Squillaci (Sevilla), Diaby (Arsenal), Diarra (Bordeaux), Diarra (Real Madrid), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Toulalan (Lyon), Malouda (Chelsea), Sissoko (Toulouse), Govou (Lyon), Anelka (Chelsea), Benzema (Real Madrid), Gignac (Toulouse), Henry (Barcelona), Remy (Nice)



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see also
Keane in Republic rallying call
13 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Brady sets sights on France upset
12 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Can Ireland give France Les Bleus?
13 Nov 09 |  Football
Lawro on the Republic
10 Nov 09 |  Football
Lawrence hopes for Ireland action
11 Nov 09 |  Stoke
Doyle upbeat for France play-off
09 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Hodgson hopeful over Duff fitness
01 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Ireland leave out Reid and Finnan
30 Oct 09 |  Internationals
Blackburn boss slams Trapattoni
23 Oct 09 |  Blackburn
Republic face France in play-offs
19 Oct 09 |  Internationals
Who has qualified for South Africa 2010?
19 Nov 09 |  Internationals
Rep of Ireland 0-0 Montenegro
14 Oct 09 |  Internationals
Rep of Ireland 2-2 Italy
10 Oct 09 |  Internationals
Pick your Rep of Ireland XI
05 Feb 07 |  Internationals


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