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O'Shea has been capped 113 times for Ireland. Chris Radburn
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'I couldn't speak more highly of him' - O'Neill hoping O'Shea puts off international retirement

The Ireland boss says he wants the defender to stick around for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.

IRELAND BOSS MARTIN O’Neill would love to have John O’Shea available for the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 35-year-old Sunderland defender, who has 113 international caps to his name, skippered the Boys in Green in the first two Euro 2016 matches but he and Ciaran Clark were dropped from the starting XI after the 3-0 defeat to Belgium.

Richard Keogh partnered Shane Duffy for the win over Italy and kept their places in the last-16 meeting with France, with O’Shea coming on as a second half substitute after Duffy’s red card.

There’s a strong possibility captain Robbie Keane and 40-year-old Shay Given will announce their international retirements before Ireland’s next competitive match — away to Serbia on 5 September.

But, speaking on TV3 last night, O’Neill said he is hopeful that O’Shea stays on for another two-year cycle.

“Very much so, absolutely,” he replied, when asked by Tommy Martin if he would like O’Shea to remain part of the team. “John had a great influence, both on and off the field, and I would like to stress that.

“I’ve actually spoken to him about how well he took being left out of the side in the game against Italy. He will be disappointed that he didn’t get back in against France, and he was very close to doing so.

He has had a good influence on the younger players off the field and, over the two years, I couldn’t speak more highly of him.

“I would like him to be with us, if that’s at all possible.”

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