O'Neill plays patient with injured Ireland quintet
Sunday, November 8, 2015
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Martin O'Neill is hoping for good news from five injured players after announcing his Republic of Ireland squad for the play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Martin O'Neill will give his injured players every chance to prove their fitness ahead of the UEFA EURO 2016 play-off jousts with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
O'Neill has trimmed down his 40-man provisional squad to a 30-strong selection which will assemble in Dublin on Monday ahead of Friday's first leg in Zenica. That list includes Rob Elliot, John O'Shea, Paul McShane, Alan Judge and Shane Long, who "will all be assessed by their respective clubs before reporting for international duty" according to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
O'Neill is hoping he can count on as many as possible, although defender O'Shea is suspended for the first leg, as is Stoke forward Jon Walters. Veteran goalkeeper Shay Given and forward David McGoldrick are definitely out, on the other hand, but Given – who has undergone surgery on a knee problem – says he will be glued to the tie.
"I'm gutted not to be able to play but I'll be there in spirit," Given told Talksport radio. "If we can get a draw out there in Bosnia, we've every chance of qualifying. The second leg back in Dublin will be a massive occasion with a huge atmosphere."
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: David Forde (Millwall), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Darren Randolph (West Ham), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United).
Defenders: Richard Keogh (Derby County), Cyrus Christie (Derby County), Alex Pearce (Derby County), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Paul McShane (Reading), Stephen Ward (Burnley).
Midfielders: Robbie Brady (Norwich City), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), James McCarthy (Everton), Darron Gibson (Everton), Aiden McGeady (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Judge (Brentford), David Meyler (Hull City).
Forwards: Jon Walters (Stoke City), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids).
