Gibson is rather more straightforward in terms of what he might bring to the party should he return, but his form for Everton when fit this season has served as a reminder that the 25-year-old is starting to fulfill his potential.
“When I spoke to him last he was injured,” said Trapattoni, who had, like many others, believed the Northerner was willing to put his Euro2012 “disappointment” behind him a few weeks back.
“It certainly seems he is not ready to come back at the moment,” the 73-year-old acknowledged.
“I have been in contact with him, just to wish him a happy Christmas, and we will continue to follow him. I intend to go and see him at some matches and hopefully to establish some contact with him, to establish his position regarding his readiness and in his own head what his feelings are.”
While Gibson looks likely to miss February’s friendly against Poland, as well as the following month’s qualifiers against Sweden and Austria by choice, Sean St Ledger and Richard Dunne look increasingly unlikely to be in position to re-establish their central defensive partnership for the games, with both struggling to get over injuries.
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