Scunny stopper explains Ireland withdrawl

Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Murphy hopes he has not put his international future in jeopardy by pulling out of the Republic of Ireland squad that faced Brazil last week.

Murphy, 28, has been nursing a wrist injury in recent weeks and took the decision to withdraw from Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

"I was only the number three keeper for Republic of Ireland and I know that would probably have meant me having to face a lot of shots in training." Murphy told the Scunthorpe Telegraph.

"That would not have done my wrist any good. It was a big decision to pull out of the Ireland game, and I hope in future that it does not affect my chances with the squad."

He added: "But I wanted to make sure I was fully fit to concentrate on the last 12 games of the season for Scunthorpe."

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