Trap and Given Back Cunningham To Shine

Greg Cunningham will win only his third Republic of Ireland cap in tonight’s friendly against Norway with both Giovanni Trapattoni and Shay Given providing a ringing endorsement for the 19-year-old.

Giovanni Trapattoni and Shay Given Hold Plenty of Admiration For Young Cunningham

The Galway teen has played five times so far during a loan spell at Leicester City, fresh on the back of his breakthrough term last season at parent club Manchester City.

The absence of regular left-back Kevin Kilbane for this game because of injury has provided an opportunity for Cunningham to showcase his talents and Trapattoni is confident in the youngster’s ability. He even gave him a glowing reference when Leicester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson sought out his opinion before completing the loan capture.

“We tried him against Paraguay (in May) and he played well,” says the Italian.  ”Eriksson asked ‘what do you think?’. I said take him because I am confident he can play. Eriksson then called me after his first game. I am happy for him; he is a good character.”

Shay Given, who will captain Ireland on the occasion of his 109th cap, gave his youthful Manchester City colleague the thumps-up. He said: “Greg didn’t look out of place when he started training with the first team at the club last season. He’s very composed on the ball, is good going forward as well as being a good defender,

“He’ll fit into this team without any problems. He’s a gifted left sided player – and there’s not many of them to the dozen. He’s got all the attributes to be around the Irish team for a long number of years.

“As well as that, Greg’s one of the nicest men you’ll meet in the world. He’s a down to earth, mannered guy which maybe comes from his upbringing in Galway.”

Trapattoni confirmed he will use his bench during the game, with uncapped trio of Marc Wilson, Jonathan Walters and Seamus Coleman in contention to feature along with others such as Stephen Hunt, Keith Treacy and Aiden McGeady.

Darren O’Dea will partner John O’Shea in central defence with Stephen Kelly and Greg Cunningham operating in the full-back roles.  Keith Fahey gets the nod to partner Glenn Whelan in central midfield, while Liam Lawrence and Damien Duff take the wing berths.

Shane Long retains his attacking place in the starting line-up alongside Kevin Doyle after his man-of-the-match performance last time out against Slovakia in Bratislava.

Republic of Ireland team v Norway: Given (Manchester City); Kelly (Fulham), O’Shea (Manchester United), O’Dea (Ipswich Town), Cunningham (Leicester City); Lawrence (Portsmouth), Fahey (Birmingham City), Whelan (Stoke City), Duff (Fulham), Long (Reading), Doyle (Wolves).

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.