Ireland goalie Given fit

Shay Given, the Ireland goalkeeper, who damaged his knee before he suffered a related muscular problem, is certain to start against Croatia, despite kicking his heels in training. Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli noted that, at 36, Given knows how to manage his body and nothing ought to be read into his failure to train.

The goalkeeper’s fitness has been the recurring talking point in the build-up to Ireland’s first appearance at a major finals since 2002, and he did not train fully again on Thursday. Afterwards, he strode past reporters without making any comment.