Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni says Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland will regret his international exile.

"It's a pity and I am convinced that when he is older, he may regret this," said Trapattoni, the Ireland manager, who is preparing his team for Saturday's vital World Cup qualifier against Cyprus in Nicosia.

"He is still young, like a kid and he doesn't know how he will feel in the future when he will be older. He doesn't know what he is missing. Steve, when he is older, could reflect upon his decision and say 'Why? I don't know why'.

"I don't want to speak with the newspapers too much about this.

"The more you talk, the more the situation gets complicated for the team. Steve reads what I say in the papers and he closes up, like a hedgehog. I know the psychology of players."