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Kerr to bring Harte's Irish exile to end
Thursday May 19th 2005
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IAN HARTE'S international exile is over and the Levante defender will be included in the Ireland squad for the June World Cup qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands.
The 27-year-old has been out in the cold since his move last summer to Spanish Serie A side Levante and his chances of a recall haven't been helped by a knee injury.
But Brian Kerr indicated last night that Harte will join up with the Irish squad on May 31 for the first time since he played against Poland in April 2003.
It will be welcome news to the Droghedaman who has been capped 58 times and scored nine times for his country.
Also back in the fold is Blackburn Rovers winger Steven Reid who was in tremendous form towards the end of the Premiership season.
Richard Dunne, who recently underwent a groin operation, is out, but Gary Breen is included after fears that he would require knee surgery abated following a scan.
Damien Duff is Kerr's big injury worry ahead of the World Cup qualifiers after missing the end of season run in with Chelsea with a hamstring injury.
However, he is expected to play for the Blues against Suwon Samsung in Korea on Friday and prove his fitness.
Kerr said: "I have been in regular contact with Damien and he is in good nick. The period of rest appears to have worked. "His club manager (Jose Mourinho) told Damien that he knows how important these games are for us and we will have Damien in Scotland for the Testimonial against Celtic."
Harte won't be involved in the Jackie McNamara Testimonial game against Celtic in Glasgow on May 29 because of club commitments and neither will Liverpool's Steve Finnan who is being given the weekend off to recover from next week's Champions League final against AC Milan.
Barring injury, right back Finnan will be a definite starter against Israel as Steve Carr is suspended for that game along with Roy Keane.
However, both players have been included in the squad for all three games.
Kerr intends to use the Celtic game as part of his preparation for the World Cup qualifiers and says it will play an important part in his build-up.
"I am looking forward to this game as it not only recognises a great servant to the game in Jackie McNamara but it gives me an opportunity to keep the players in competitive condition for the games against Israel and Faroe Islands," said Kerr.
Israel manager Avraham Grant has already started preparing for the trip to Dublin and is currently conducting training sessions with his squad in Tel Aviv.
He has brought in two uncapped players and there is strong speculation in Israel that the two could make their debuts in Dublin after impressive performances in the Israeli league.
Tal Hen is a defender who is seen as a replacement for the suspended Tal Ben Haim of Bolton Wanderers, while midfielder Avi Yehiel is in contention to replace the banned Walid Badir.
Meanwhile, Ireland remain in 15th place in the FIFA World Rankings while Israel, who come to Dublin on June 4, have moved up one place to 50th. Ireland's Group Four rivals France (4th), Switzerland (45th), Cyprus (109th) and the Faroe Islands (133rd) have also maintained the same rankings as last month.
