Crowe doubt for Ireland internationals

Glen Crowe has retained his place in Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr's squad for the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying games with Albania and Georgia, but is struggling to be fit.

Significant achievement
The Bohemian FC striker, who became the first Ireland-based player for 14 years to win a senior cap when he made his international debut against Greece in November 2002, sustained a knee injury last week when playing for his club.

'Inflamed tendon'
"He has inflammation on a tendon on his knee and looks very unlikely to be available for the Albania game," Kerr said. "We will review the situation later in the week as to whether he might be available for the Georgia match."

Injury worries
Fulham FC defender Steve Finnan was left out of the squad due to a pelvic injury, while Newcastle United FC's Andy O'Brien is also missing after breaking his nose. O'Brien's club team-mate Shay Given, together with Leeds United AFC midfield player Stephen McPhail and Millwall FC's Steven Reid, are all expected to recover from minor injuries in time to be available for the Albania game.

Slow start
Kerr's side currently lie in fourth place in Group 10 with four points from four matches, having begun with defeats against Russia and Switzerland. However, their qualifying campaign was reinvigorated by a 2-1 win in Georgia in March, which was followed by a goalless draw in Albania. Switzerland currently top the section with eight points, with Russia on six and Albania five.

Republic of Ireland squad
Given, Colgan, Murphy, Carr, Harte, O'Shea, Dunne, Breen, Cunningham, Carsley, Holland, Kinsella, Quinn, Kilbane, McPhail, Healy, Reid, Duff, Crowe, Connolly, Doherty, Lee, Robbie Keane.