Trapattoni to undergo surgery

REPUBLIC of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni will undergo minor abdominal surgery, meaning he will miss his side’s friendly with Argentina tonight.

The 71-year-old Trapattoni has been in a Dublin hospital since early Tuesday, having felt unwell since arriving in Ireland on Sunday ahead of a friendly against Argentina.

The FAI said in a statement: “It has been decided that the abdominal pain is as a result of minor scar tissue from previous surgery. To relieve the pain, he will undergo minor surgery at 3 p.m. today.”

Assistant coach and fellow Italian Marco Tardelli will take charge of the friendly against Argentina later in Dublin.