Trapattoni backing Hunt

Ireland boss puts trust in Reading midfielder

Last updated: 4th September 2008

Giovanni Trapattoni Republic of Ireland

Trapattoni: Praise for Hunt

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Giovanni Trapattoni is confident that Stephen Hunt will fill the void left by Damien Duff's injury.

Duff has been ruled out of Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Montenegro with a groin injury.

Hunt will make only his second competitive start for his country against Georgia and Trapattoni has asked him to play an important role.

"He is a young player with 100 per cent enthusiasm," said the Italian.

"He helps all his colleagues on the pitch. He understands that he can track back or play in front.

"For us, that is important. There are other players like Duff, but we have enough offensive players like (Aiden) McGeady, (Robbie) Keane, (Kevin) Doyle and also Duff who can score a goal."

Focus

Trapattoni has also urged Hunt to shrug off the disappointment of failing to secure a transfer from Reading to Everton on deadline day.

The Ireland boss is demanding that all his players focus solely on trying to get off to a good start in their quest to reach the 2010 World Cup.

He explained: "We have to forget what happens in the private situation. Now we can only think about our situation, the national situation.

"We can only think about our qualification, about the team and the games with Ireland.

"We must be proud to play with Ireland. We played enough good games against Serbia, Colombia and Norway and we have enough quality - our quality - to look to qualify for South Africa."