Ireland trio ruled out of Italy clash

Ireland will have to do without star winger Damien Duff for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Italy, head coach Giovanni Trapattoni conceded on Tuesday.

Duff, who has been in fine form for his club Fulham but missed Sunday’s match at West Ham, is sidelined by a calf injury.

Manchester United youngster Darron Gibson, who has a groin injury, and Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid (Achilles) were also ruled out of Saturday’s match at Croke Park, for which Wigan striker Caleb Folan had already been declared unavailable due to a hamstring injury.

Unbeaten Ireland take on the group eight leaders knowing a victory would move them to within one point of top spot with one round of matches remaining.

Ireland entertain Montenegro next Wednesday while Italy, who will secure their place in next year’s finals if they avoid defeat in Dublin, have a final match against Cyprus in Parma.