Six Staunton Stars Cry Off

Steve(I'm the Gaffer)Staunton has suffered, an astonishing, six 'Cry Offs', including three of his key players, ahead of next Wednesday's Ireland game against the Netherlands, at Landsdowne Road.

Skipper Robbie Keane, vice-captain Shay Given, Terry Dixon, Richard Dunne, Stephen Ireland and Alan Lee have all claimed injury, and withdrawn from the squad.

Is six at the one time just a very bad coincidence, or could there be trouble in the Irish Camp.

Staunton said: "It's far from ideal to lose so many of the squad through injury".

Isn't he just the master of understatement.