Irish allow trio to seal moves

Kevin Kilbane, Graham Kavanagh and Jonathon Douglas have all left Republic of Ireland's training camp in order to secure transfers.

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Ireland are currently preparing for their Euro 2008 qualifier with Germany on Saturday.

However, coach Steve Staunton has now been forced to allow his midfield trio to travel back to England to undergo medicals with their possible new clubs.

Everton winger Kilbane is going to Wigan, after they agreed a fee with The Toffees.

Fulham had made a bid earlier this week, but Wigan have now stolen a march and look set to land the former Sunderland winger.

Jonathon Douglas has been very strongly linked with Sunderland, but it is Leeds who have agreed terms with Blackburn.

Douglas spent last season on loan at Elland Road and played a huge part in them reaching the play-off final, and he now looks set to sign a permanent deal with The Whites.

While Sunderland might not be getting Douglas, they do look set to land Graham Kavanagh from Wigan.

Roy Keane is an admirer of the ex-Cardiff man who now looks set to return to the North East, where he began his English career with Middlesbrough.

Irish boss Staunton hopes that all three will join the rest of the squad in Stuttgart on Thursday night once they have completed their medicals.

"Those three players have had to go back to England for medicals and then to sign for new clubs," said Staunton.

"It's those three for now, and we will see them in Stuttgart tonight when they fly back out of England."

As Satunton intimated, there could be more movement within the Irish squad as Portsmouth stopper Andy O'Brien looks likely to leave Fratton Park, with a loan move to Crystal Palace on the cards.