Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni stands by his continued snub of Newcastle United striker Leon Best.

Trapattoni was not persuaded to tinker with his squad to face Andorra and Armenia this week, even though Stoke's Jon Walters needs a scan on an ankle injury.

Trapattoni said: "Leon is not here because we have other three four strikers with other qualities. Leon knows why. I don't forget him but he knows why I need other attitudes.

"But on the there is only one ball. And winning football is about 11 players running for 90 minutes, or 94 minutes, with a winning mentality. I cannot have players who just wait for the ball.

"We need a team, we need work and commitment. That is football. We need this mentality because with our mentality anything is possible. We cannot afford to have players standing there waiting for the ball.

"Leon knows why he is not here. We are also missing Keith Treacy and he knows. The players understand why. I tell them to their face, not through the newspapers."