As if the pain of being trounced in Cyprus wasn't enough to suffer, the fact that two of his players have effectively picked up injuries from the flight home is the latest in a long line of disasters.
Paddy Kenny and Stephen Ireland both woke up yesterday morning with tightness in their hamstrings and Staunton suspects it may be related to the long five-hour journey from Larnaca.
Add that to an ankle injury incurred by Andy O'Brien in the 5-2 embarrassment and the continual problems experienced by Kevin Doyle and things are looking grimmer than ever. With the Czech Republic in town ahead of tomorrow night's Lansdowne Road showdown, this is not the preparation that the Louth man needed.
While the FAI is standing by their man, the prospect of another heavy defeat could be too much for Staunton to take. "Paddy and Stephen woke up this morning feeling a bit of tightness following the journey and we'll see how they get on with scans on their hamstring," said the Irish manager.
"Andy O'Brien rocked on his ankle a couple of times during the match and the four are doubtful at this moment in time as we only have one more day of training.
"Kevin Doyle did a lot more training today which was great but he's still pretty tender. We'll have to wait another day on that one," he added.
"We're not having the best of luck at the moment but we have to get ourselves together and regroup. We owe one to the fans that travelled to Cyprus and I know the fans at Lansdowne will get behind us. The boys are trying their best but you can't legislate for errors," he continued.
With Richard Dunne absent, Staunton is already facing a crisis in the centre of defence and the injury to O'Brien would leave Ireland with only two regular centre halfs in the squad. That's the uncapped pair of West Brom's Paul McShane and Preston 's Sean St Ledger.
Either way, it looks likely that John O'Shea may have to switch to the heart of defence leaving a vacancy at full back. That could see Steve Finnan slotting in at left full and Birmingham's Stephen Kelly starting at right back.
The other two players who linked up with the squad yesterday could also be in contention. Andy Reid offers a midfield option while tough tackling Alan Quinn could be an option for the centre of the park.
Meanwhile, despite the fact that Kenny endured a torrid time in Nicosia, the Sheffield United keeper would still be ahead of alternatives Wayne Henderson and Nick Colgan who ply their trade for Brighton and Barnsley.
"I've got to take it on the chin, there's nothing I can do," sighed Staunton, "There are plenty that could be here but for one reason or another can't be. I know in the long run everything will be ok."
Whether others shares his optimism remains to be seen.
Yesterday the circus which is building up around this week was clearly in evidence, from the reporter dressed as Miss Piggy hovering near the team bus to the clusters of teenagers in the hotel car park calling for the manager's removal with a white board of 'L' plates.
Daniel McDonnell
10/10/2006, 11:13 AM
galwayhoop
i'm actually amazed that more of them didn't pick up phantom injuries on the way home:rolleyes:
