Doherty expected to be fit for Georgia trip

The Tottenham utility man Gary Doherty should be available for the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2004 qualifier in Georgia despite missing training yesterday with a back strain but it is not expected to keep him out of Saturday's game in Tbilisi.

Robbie Keane has yet to decide whether to rejoin the squad following the death of his father. If Keane decides not to travel to Tbilisi, he may go straight on to Albania for Wednesday's game in Tirana. The West Brom striker Scott Dobie has been forced to pull out of the Scotland after picking up an injury during the weekend defeat to Birmingham. Bradford's Andy Gray has been called up to replace him.

The Manchester City midfielder Kevin Horlock has withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad to play Armenia because of a family matter. The Southampton defender Chris Baird and Ciaran Toner of Leyton Orient have been called up from the Under-21s.