COUNT ME FINN; NORWAY v IRELAND TRAP GETS KEY MEN BACK AS WORLD CUP QUALIFYING LOOMS Liverpool's Steve among stars making Oslo return.

Byline: BY PAUL O'HEHIR

STEVE Finnan has answered Ireland's call and returns to the international fold next week.

The experienced Liverpool full-back has been included in the boss Giovanni Trapattoni's 22-man squad for next Wednesday's international friendly against Norway in Oslo.

The Italian was always confident the 32-year-old would eventually come back but it was expected he wouldn't return until next month's qualifiers.

The defender - who last played for Ireland in November - had been struggling with a thigh injury and told the manager he would don green again when injury free.

But following discussions in recent weeks, Finnan has now informed the boss that his time has come. "He is an experienced player and he still has a lot to give to the team," said the manager.

But Andy O'Brien won't be coming out of international retirement and Stephen Ireland's potential return has once again been put on the long finger.

Bolton Wanderers defender O'Brien has, according to Trapattoni, taken media criticism of his performance in Ireland's shocking 5-2 defeat in Cyprus to heart.

Indeed, the fact that game was almost two years ago doesn't seem to have eased the pain.

There's no doubting O'Brien was exposed that fateful night but he certainly wasn't alone as, to a man, the team capitulated in horrendous fashion.

But unlike other team members, O'Brien never appeared in an Irish shirt again with then manager Steve Staunton dropping him like a hot potato.

"He was disappointed because the team lost against Cyprus and a few other games," said Trapattoni last night.

"He said to me, 'It was as if it was only me that made Ireland lose'. But I told him it's possible other players didn't play well.

"I said 'You're an international player and I could not be an international coach if I couldn't take criticism'. When you play football you have a job to do. You have to accept criticism. But in 10 years time I am sure he will look back and ask why?"

Trapattoni admitted O'Brien's decision was something of a blow with the World Cup qualifying campaign just three weeks.

That's not least because Paul McShane - not in this squad - is struggling with injury having broken his kneecap following an accident on holiday.

But O'Brien's club-mate, Joey O'Brien, has received a call-up for next week's game as the versatile Dubliner can cover in a range of defensive arrears.

Trapattoni refused to brand Ireland's continued absence as a concern, reiterating the door will always be open for the gifted 21-year-old Manchester City star.

But privately you have to wonder how far that good will extends once the qualifiers get under way.

"He has let us know that he is not ready to make himself available for this squad," added Trapattoni.

"I saw him play a few games for Manchester City but he has indicated he may still come back in the future.

"We continue to look at him in the future and when he is ready we can speak with him and see if he decides to come back.

"I hope he thinks about it as we need all the Ireland players.

"He maybe had problems with family or psychologically but it's a question of when he wants to come back and that he's convinced about the decision.

"By being patient I have achieved many important results in my career. When he's convinced and we are convinced that he is ready, then maybe it is possible.

"We cant say, 'Please come back, please come back'. It is his decision and he must tell us, it's not up to us."

But when asked if Ireland was undermining the rest of the squad by dragging out his decision, Trapattoni played a straight bat.

The 69-year-old insisted he could not overlook any player no matter what the circumstances as the welfare of the international team was at stake.

He added: "We don't exclude anything, the team must understand this too because it's the Ireland team.

"They are Ireland players and they must have pride in the Ireland jersey."

But does that mean Stephen Ireland has shown a lack of pride?

Trapattoni admitted: "That is the first thing you might think but then you think again and you realise he is only a very young player."

Apart from Finnan's inclusion, there are few - if any - surprises in this particular squad selection.

Trapattoni has shown faith in many of the players who travelled to Portugal and played in the games against Serbia and Colombia in May.

That said, Joey O'Brien, Andy Reid, Steven Reid, Shay Given and Kevin Kilbane all return and will work with Trapattoni for the first time when the squad assembles in Dublin on Sunday evening.

Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan has kept his place at the expense of veteran battler Lee Carsley who has been overlooked.

However, the manager admits he could still turn to the Birmingham City player when the qualifying campaign heats up.

He added: "Ninety per cent of this squad will be for Georgia and Montenegro.

"Norway will be good preparation ahead of the World Cup games.

"The days we spend together in Oslo will be a very important time, to get thinking and working together as a team."

Carsley, 34, played no part in Portugal or the games against Serbia and Colombia in May owing to an Achilles injury.

Trapattoni added: "At the moment I want to work with the people I had in Portugal.

"I know Lee very well, I know what he does on the pitch but at the moment we need time to bond as a team.

"Maybe in September if he is in good condition we can look at him then."

CAPTION(S):

COMMITTED Finnan in his last game against Wales back in November; STAR Steve Finnan will make his Ireland comeback against Norway next week; BACK - S REID; BACK - GIVEN; BACK - A REID; BACK - KILBANE; DRAMATIC Trapattoni is animated as ever yesterday; STILL IN EXILE Stephen Ireland