Troubled Ireland withdraws from Republic squad

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland's squad for their upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers because he "would not do his country or himself justice".

The news comes as a further blow for manager Steve Staunton for the Group D meetings at Croke Park with Germany on Saturday and Cyprus four days later following full-back Stephen Carr's withdrawal earlier today with a hamstring problem.

Ireland, 21, pulled out of the Republic's last qualifier against the Czech Republic in September citing the death of a grandmother but later admitted he had made it up as he wanted to be with his partner who had suffered a miscarriage.

Defeat to the Czechs effectively ended the Republic's qualification hopes but the City midfielder gained an instant recall to the squad with the Republic boss insisting "it's history now".

But now Ireland has revealed he is unsure whether he could provide a "positive contribution" to the side.

He told www.mcfc.co.uk: "I have thought long and hard about whether I would do my country and myself justice if I joined up with the squad. Unfortunately, I don't believe I would on this occasion.

"The support I have received from Mr Staunton and the FAI has been excellent and everybody at Manchester City has also been superb. However, I do not believe I can make a positive contribution to our efforts to qualify."

Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson added: "This is disappointing for everybody. Steve Staunton and I have been working together to help Stephen through a period which he is clearly finding very difficult.

"We together have left no stone unturned in our efforts to convince him he has so much to offer his country and that international football will greatly benefit his long-term career.

"I hope that Stephen will soon feel stable enough to resume his international career."