McGeady in fitness battle

Celtic winger Aiden McGeady faces a race against the clock to be fit for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

The 22-year-old did only light training on Thursday as he continues his recovery from a badly bruised right foot, and will need to prove his fitness to manager Giovanni Trapattoni before he names the team for Saturday's game at Croke Park.

Assistant boss Liam Brady said: "I think it's more likely that he will play but we won't know until he comes through the training session."

He added: "We have kept him out of contact, his foot is still badly bruised. But with bruising, the longer it goes on, the better it gets.

"The manager will want to see some kind of contact and comfort when he is kicking the ball.

"We have got to have fit players out there. We believe he will make Saturday but it's the type of injury that if he doesn't make Saturday, he will make Wednesday."

Damien Duff left the camp on Thursday after a scan revealed a bleed high in his hamstring.

He was swiftly ruled out of the Bulgaria game and the trip to Italy four days later and has returned to club Newcastle for treatment.

Reading's Stephen Hunt has already been named as his replacement in the team, but the Ireland camp are giving McGeady every chance to prove his fitness.