Stan has anxious wait

Koen Freriks

6 september 2006, 17:14

Kevin MacDonald, the Republic of Ireland assistant coach, will become stand-in Irish manager should Steve Staunton be handed a touchline ban by Uefa's disciplinary body on Friday.

Staunton was sent from the dug-out by referee Luis Medina Cantalejo for furiously protesting some of the Spaniard's decisions during Saturday night's Euro 2008 defeat in Germany.

He is expected to be banned for at least one game, the October 7th meeting with Cyprus, but could also be banished from the dug-out for the visit of the Czech Republic to Lansdowne Road four days later.

And MacDonald - who worked with Staunton at Aston Villa, where he retains a coaching role - will be the man in charge on the bench if Staunton is forced to watch the game(s) from the stands.