Out-of-favour midfielder Owen Garvan will skipper the Republic of Ireland U21s this evening when they face Switzerland in a European Championships qualifier in Waterford (Sky Sports One, 7.30pm). Garvan will win his 13th U21 cap.

The Dubliner says his side, who are yet to win a group game, deserved more than a draw with Georgia in Friday’s qualifier: “We were all very disappointed to concede so late on against Georgia. We played well enough to win the match comfortably, but that has been the story of our campaign so far.

“All the teams in the group have been taking points off each other, which is good for us because it means that no team has pulled away from the rest, but at the same time we know that we have to start winning matches.

“Switzerland will be a better side than Georgia, so we know we are in for a tough match, but I think that if we keep playing as we are the results will start to come.”

Town have four other players in international action later this week. Tamás Priskin’s Hungarians still stand a very, very slim chance of finishing second in their World Cup qualifying group but need to beat the already qualified Denmark on Wednesday, hope Portugal and Sweden both lose and that there’s a massive turnaround in goal difference.

Carlos Edwards’s Trinidad and Tobago sit bottom of the six-team North, Central America and Caribbean qualifying table and have no chance of qualification. They complete their fixtures with a game against former Town loanee Giovani Dos Santos and Mexico, who have already qualified, also on Wednesday.

The same night, Gareth McAuley and Northern Ireland play their final qualifier in the Czech Republic (BBC2 NI, 7.20pm, Sky channel 992). The Northern Irishmen must win the match they have to win to stand any chance of finishing second in their group, although realistically they are already out as they require San Marino to beat Slovenia and there to be a major turnaround in goal difference.

On Thursday, academy schoolboy striker Jack Simmons could win his first Wales U16 cap when his side take on England in their opening Victory Shield game (Sky Sports One, 7.30pm).

Meanwhile, Town's reserves are in action in their first round LB Group Suffolk FA Premier Cup tie at Leiston this evening (KO 7.45pm).

Elsewhere, Plymouth have been given permission to talk to Town legend Paul Mariner regarding a coaching role at Home Park. Mariner, who played for the Pilgrims prior to joining the Blues, is currently assistant coach with MLS side the New England Revolution.

Mike Burns, president of the Revolution, says the move is still in its early stages: “Plymouth have asked permission to speak to Paul from our organisation and we've granted that. They have spoken to him, they have had conversations but nothing is final.”

Photo: Action Images

PettaThat added 09:18 - Oct 13 Garvan: good enough to captain the Irish U21's, and good enough to play in a Championship team that finished in the top half of the table in the last two seasons; BUT not good enough to play in a team that is now bottom of the table. Come on support the Team! Trust in Keane!!!!
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WeWereZombies added 09:23 - Oct 13 Garvan does seem to be displaying considerable dignity and strength of character throughout this difficult period in his career. Perhaps he knows that Ipswich with a better manager is the best place for him, he just has to wait.....
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Surco72 added 09:32 - Oct 13 Cannot even make our first 18 players !!! And Wright consistently good, not good enough to get in a team letting in goals for fun even though he played in our only clean sheet of the season !!! RK has to many personal issues and should put that aside as his way is clearly not working. Garvan played the full 90 mins in Roys only wins as manager last season .
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8ashblue added 09:53 - Oct 13 I'm not sure that being in the Irish U21 is particularly great but i think we've all seen Garven good and bad sides over the years. There's lots that feel that he hasnt developed from the promising junior. He shows vision, good passer and great left foot BUT he's slow so he doesnt support forwards or is able to track back so in the end sits in midfield waiting for the ball. Thats fine when we're dominating but not great when under seige. He would be a better player if he could tackle and head the ball and my guess is that RK has told him to get fitter and stronger if he's going to get in the team. Championship teams are stronger and quicker than they were in Burley's days so unless players like Garven can adapt, they're not going to survive.

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dobbie73 added 10:15 - Oct 13 Garvan hasn't been the same player since his personal issues a couple of years back when we were never sure that he would return. I wonder .... maybe he has had the same crisis of faith that Supple had? Supple made his decision and walked, having endured several years of unhappiness. Maybe Garvan is now weighing up that same situation, I dunno. And if he is, then Keano obviously CAN'T play him! Maybe the armchair experts might like to consider what's going on in the background before blaming Keano for EVERYTHING .....

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Surco72 added 10:38 - Oct 13 Dobie .. Garvan was our top scoring midfielder last season 7 goals in 22 starts , as you say we do not know what is going on behind the scenes ,but Garvan has said he wants to stay and fight for his place is captaining his countries U21s doesnt sound like a player thinking about quitting football ? We can all keep making excuses for Keane because we want him and Ipswich to succeed but there seems to be big unrest in the squad which is showing on the pitch ,he isnt being blamed for everything just the fact we are bottom of the table and have 5 points ,no wins , worst defence in the league and still nothing has been done about it (loanees promised 3 weeks ago ?) ,he has told most of Jims squad they are not wanted McCauley,Stead,Counago,Garvan,Wright,Quinn and sold the rest including a great young prospect who is scoring goals for fun .

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dirtydingusmagee added 12:48 - Oct 13 sooner this weeks game against Swansea is over the better,! something worth talking about then ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, bloody international breaks .
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bostonusablue added 13:47 - Oct 13 Rhodes is not scoring goals for fun, let's get that clear. He scored a couple of goals in his first few games, then nothing until his hatrick this weekend. And, he is playing in a division lower, so how can we compare??? If he was scoring for another team in the Championship, then we could say that he is missed. I really do not get our fans. One minute we are saying that McCauley is not fit for a Town shirt because of all his mistakes, so Keane drops him and puts him on the transfer list. As soon as this news comes out, a lot of people are on here moaning that he has been mistreated and should be given a chance by Keane. Is Keane the right man to lead us forward? I am not sure, but whilst he is at the helm, he will have my full support. PS. Please do not read everything that you read in the papers......RK not speaking to Garvan and all that BS. Squad unrest, etc. Just get behind the team!

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8ashblue added 16:35 - Oct 13 i share your views Boston and agree that all we can do is get behind the team. If RK makes it then we'll all be happy and the current position will be history. The only thing that must be constant is our support and thats why i'll never boo the team as some are doing their best. The ref/linesmen yes as their short-comings cost us points. Hopefully the players that arent we can safely left to the Manager!

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north_stand77 added 21:50 - Oct 13 Well done Owen for scoring the ROI goal. Roy Keane, please take note.
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hollywoodginge added 22:18 - Oct 13 i cant help but feel that keano is in a no win situation here (no pun intended), he will have his reasons for not playing Garvan and is being critisised by the medium of people trying to guess why not, yet if he were to come out and explain why he isnt in the squad, hed get accused of poor management for publically critisising one of his players, Keane is the manager, he makes the decisions based on what he see's day in day out, us fans dont know a fraction the reallity that goes on behind the scene's at EVERY club, fights, fueds and such. in anycase we dont miss him, our midfield is our strongest area at present. oh and North_stand77, it was garvans shocker of an error that gifted the goal ROI conceded, lets take the rough with the smooth.

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