O'Brien - Club VS Country Row

By Matthew Jones
October 9 2002

Mick McCarthy has named Andy O'Brien for Ireland's Euro 2004 Qualifier at home next Wednesday. O'Brien missed the last Qualifier with a shin-splints problem. Sir Bobby Robson could be set for another club v country row - over Irish international centre-back Andy O'Brien.

The former Bradford stopper has been named in manager Mick McCarthy's squad for a Euro 2004 qualifier at home to Switzerland next Wednesday.
O'Brien missed the Republic's last qualifier - a defeat to Russia in Moscow - with a shin splints problem.

And McCarthy has already been advised that the player is currently nursing a hamstring strain.

"I have spoken to Bobby Robson and he has informed me that Andy has a hamstring problem - but we'll just have to wait and see how he progresses," said McCarthy.

Robson tried to withdraw Craig Bellamy from the Welsh squad last month - after the striker had only made one substitute appearance after a long lay-off for United.

But the Newcastle boss was forced into a climbdown by the Welsh FA, eventually reaching an informal compromise with opposite number Mark Hughes, agreeing to the player being given a 20-minute run out in their qualifying win in Finland.

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