Ireland U21 coach Don Givens is annoyed with Sunderland after Anthony Stokes failed to report for duty.
Under 21 coach Givens unhappy with striker's withdrawal
Republic of Ireland Under 21 coach Don Givens is annoyed with Sunderland after Anthony Stokes failed to turn up for international duty.
Stokes has pulled out of the squad for this week's game in Germany after picking up an injury against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
But the young striker failed to inform Givens of the situation, while there was also no contact from Sunderland.
Givens is upset with the player and club, and is 'very disappointed' Sunderland have not followed the example of Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers.
"What really annoys me is that it has denied another player a place in the squad," said Given.
Responsibility
"I rang Anthony on his mobile to ask him where he was and he said: 'I'm in Dublin, did the boss not get in touch with you?'
"I told Anthony that I'd heard nothing and he said: 'Well, I picked up a knock on Saturday and the boss told me twice that he'd sort it'.
"My reaction was that it was also his responsibility to phone me. I'm very disappointed to find myself in that position.
"As soon as the squad was announced Blackburn were on to me to tell me that Keith Treacy was injured and offered to send me the results of his scan. That shows how thorough they are.
"I'm very disappointed to find another Premier League club not behaving in a similar fashion."
